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Shreveport Water Quality Grade Improves After Revision

Shreveport's water infrastructure undergoing improvements.

News Summary

Shreveport’s water quality grade has improved from an F to a D following a review by the Louisiana Department of Health. While the score increased from 55 to 65, officials recognize the challenges that remain, particularly regarding infrastructure issues. Despite the upgrade, the city is committed to addressing ongoing problems and improving the municipal water system. Funding for infrastructure improvements has been secured, but full completion of projects is not expected until late 2026. The city’s water department is in discussions with health officials about evaluation criteria.

Shreveport Water Quality Grade Improves After Revision

Shreveport, Louisiana’s water quality grade received an upgrade from an F to a D following a recent revision by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). The new grade for 2024 increased from a score of 55 to 65 after a formal review was requested by the city’s water department. However, officials acknowledge that a D grade remains below the standard they seek to achieve.

Details of the Revision

The change in Shreveport’s water grading comes after a thorough evaluation of the city’s water system and infrastructure projects currently underway. Despite the improvement in grade, Shreveport’s municipal water system actually reported a score lower than the previous year, dropping to 65 in 2024 from 57 in 2023. Only two entities in Caddo Parish received an F grade in both 2023 and 2024, including South Shreveport Mobile Home Villa, marking a concerning trend for municipal water systems in the area.

Infrastructure Challenges

Key factors contributing to the D grade include significant infrastructure issues related to four elevated tanks and two ground water storage tanks. While the score reflects ongoing challenges, Shreveport’s water department is actively working on a solution. Design work for necessary upgrades has been successfully completed, and construction has already started at various locations throughout the city. Funding for these improvements has been secured, although full project completion is not anticipated until late 2026.

Commitment to Improvement

In response to the grade revision, interim Water and Sewerage Director Brandon Snead expressed the city’s dedication to resolving the ongoing water system issues. The city is currently in active discussions with the LDH regarding the water grading system, seeking clarity on the evaluation criteria and how it can assess ongoing improvements more effectively.

Understanding Water System Grading

The grading system used by the LDH incorporates several criteria, including adherence to federal and state standards, financial stability, and customer satisfaction. The significance of a poor grade typically does not imply that the drinking water is unsafe, but it does highlight concerns regarding the long-term viability of the water system—an essential consideration for public health and safety.

Comparative Analysis

In the broader context of Louisiana’s water systems, approximately 7% of the state’s systems, roughly 65 out of 924, received an F grade in 2024, a figure that has remained stable compared to prior years. In stark contrast to Shreveport’s D grade, Bossier City achieved an A grade for its water system in 2024, illustrating marked differences in water quality across the region.

Conclusion

While the revision of Shreveport’s water quality grade from an F to a D marks a step towards improvement, officials stress that there is still significant work to be done. With continuous infrastructure developments and a commitment to enhancing water quality, the city aims to elevate its grading in future assessments and ensure a sustainable water supply for its residents.