Tallulah residents speak on ongoing water system issue

TALLULAH, La (KTVE/KARD) – The town of Tallulah, La has been facing ongoing water system complications for several years. Residents have been forced to purchase bottled water due to debris and dirt being present in the water that comes from the local water system.

In an effort to find a solution to the years long problem, town officials and the residents of Tallulah, La are looking at three different options. KTVE/KARD spoke to the City of Tallulah Spokesperson, Yvonne Lewis, who detailed what options are on the table.

So where we find ourselves right now is we have three different options. The first option is to try and find the original extra funding that we need, go on with our rehab project. The next would be to enter into the receivership, which the state wants to do. The third third option would be going in with a company called Sustainability partners.

Yvonne Lewis, City of Tallulah Spokesperson

Lewis continued by stating that Governor Jeff Landry has the ability to place the town under the receivership option, but is giving residents and city officials the opportunity to make a decision. Lewis also gave her thoughts on when she believes the town will put a plan into action.

I believe that we need to make a decision as soon as possible. Because at the end of the day, it’s not so much the decision, our water plant is not in very good shape. So everyday that we go further, we run the chance of something really serious happening at our water plant and us not being able to provide water to our citizens.

Yvonne Lewis, City of Tallulah Spokesperson

Residents in Tallulah spoke out about which option they feel would benefit the community.

In my opinion, I think it would be best to run Walnut Bayou water all the way through Tallulah.

Lauren Murphy, Tallulah Resident

I think maybe partner with somebody you know what I’m saying, right now for the time being until they can get it better for everybody that’s here.

Arthur Hudson, Tallulah Resident

Lewis expressed that town officials want to hear from people in the community and heavily emphasized that this is a decision the people of Tallulah need to make together. She also encouraged that residents write down their concerns and voice their opinions at the community meeting.

The community meeting will take on Wednesday, May 15, 2024, at the Tallulah Community center at 5:30 p.m.