City Council addresses water bill issues and ongoing quality concerns in Shreveport

In a recent meeting of the Planning & Infrastructure/GIS Committee in Shreveport, city officials confronted pressing issues surrounding the water supply, particularly the persistent problem of brown water and rising unpaid bills from apartment complexes. The atmosphere was charged with concern as council members sought clarity on the city's water management strategies and the implications for residents.

The discussion began with an update on the water quality, where officials acknowledged improvements but noted that a slight odor still lingered. The introduction of activated carbon was expected to address this issue. However, the conversation quickly shifted to the financial challenges posed by several apartment complexes that had accrued significant unpaid water bills, some reaching into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Council members expressed frustration over the lack of timely action, questioning why bills were allowed to escalate before intervention.

One council member highlighted the inadequacy of the current deposit system, suggesting that a $100 deposit per unit was insufficient for larger complexes, such as the Jolie Apartments, which has nearly 500 units. The discussion revealed that leaks could lead to exorbitant bills, sometimes exceeding $25,000 a month, and that the city had historically been lenient in cutting off water service to avoid creating public health crises. This leniency, however, has led to a backlog of unpaid bills, prompting calls for stricter enforcement of payment deadlines.

As the meeting progressed, officials addressed the ongoing issue of brown water, which has plagued certain neighborhoods. The water department's response included flushing lines, but council members demanded a more permanent solution. They questioned whether external factors, such as fracking near the watershed, could be contributing to the water quality issues. The water department acknowledged that while manganese levels were low, the presence of algae and geosamine had caused taste and odor problems, a situation exacerbated by warmer water temperatures.

The committee discussed potential legislative changes aimed at improving the water department's operations, including a proposal for individual water meters for apartment tenants. This measure would ensure that landlords could no longer evade responsibility for unpaid bills, thereby protecting the city's revenue.

As the meeting concluded, officials recognized the need for a comprehensive approach to address both the financial and quality challenges facing Shreveport's water supply. The urgency of the situation was palpable, with council members committed to finding solutions that would not only improve water quality but also ensure the financial sustainability of the city's water services. The path forward remains uncertain, but the commitment to transparency and accountability was clear, leaving residents hopeful for a resolution to these pressing issues.