Shreveport Clean Water Task Force finalizes recommendations, seeks state funding

SHREVEPORT, La. — Shreveport's Clean Water Task Force has officially wrapped up its work and is preparing to present recommendations to Louisiana lawmakers aimed at improving the city's water system.

The task force held its final meeting Thursday evening, concluding a three-month effort to identify challenges within Shreveport's water infrastructure and develop solutions to improve the system's overall performance.

Created under State Rep. Joy Walters' House Resolution 367, the task force was given until November to develop recommendations addressing the city's failing water grade.

Throughout its work, members held multiple community meetings across Shreveport, gathering feedback from residents and consulting with state and local officials, water experts and public health professionals.

Among the recommendations are replacing aging infrastructure and upgrading chemical feed systems, metering equipment and contamination monitoring technology.

Shreveport Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark said the proposed improvements could help raise the city's water grade from its previous score of an F to a C or higher.

"If the sort of median things happen along those, we can expect a score that is not 45 like we got last year. It's more likely to be somewhere in the general area of 70," Dark said.

One recommendation includes $100,000 for a contamination monitoring system at the Cross Lake intake. Dark said the technology would allow officials to identify unusual contaminants before the water reaches the treatment plant.

The task force is also recommending at least $4 million to begin replacing aging pipes throughout the distribution system.

"We have a lot of old pipes. Pipes lead to things in the distribution system that are unpredictable and not always pleasant," Dark said.

Interim Director of Water and Sewer Brandon Snead said upgrading chemical feed equipment would be a priority if additional state funding becomes available.

"It's still operational, mind you, but it's reaching the end of its lifespan. And that's kind of the heart of the system. So to me, you need to start where the heart is," Snead said.

Snead said the department could also use its work order history to identify equipment that needs replacement before problems develop.

Walters said the next step is getting the task force's recommendations in front of the House Committee on Health and Welfare.

In a statement, Walters emphasized the legislature's role in addressing the city's infrastructure needs.

"Now it's the legislature's turn to move forward with the critical water infrastructure financial needs. We can't fund it all, but we will do our part," Walters said.

The task force agreed to make minor adjustments to its draft recommendations before submitting its findings and funding requests to the state by November 18.

City officials say they will continue exploring additional funding opportunities to address Shreveport's water infrastructure needs.

Shreveport Clean Water Task Force finalizes recommendations, seeks state funding

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