Shreveport, LA, August 28, 2025
News Summary
William Daniel, the Water and Sewerage Director for Shreveport, has announced his resignation effective May 6, 2024, due to personal reasons related to family obligations. Since taking office in 2020, Daniel has overseen significant challenges within the department, including infrastructure issues and water quality concerns. His departure occurs as the city is investing considerable funds to improve the drinking water system. Brandon Snead, the deputy director, will serve as interim director until a successor is appointed.
Shreveport — The Water and Sewerage Director for Shreveport, William Daniel, has announced his resignation, effective May 6, 2024, amidst ongoing infrastructure improvements and challenges to the city’s drinking water system. Daniel cited personal reasons related to family obligations as his motivation to step down and plans to relocate to south Louisiana to care for elderly family members.
During his tenure since 2020, Daniel has played a critical role in overseeing the Water and Sewerage Department while navigating various issues, including deteriorating infrastructure and water quality problems. His leadership was particularly significant as the department encountered unprecedented challenges tied to Cross Lake, the city’s primary drinking water source, which has faced elevated manganese levels and unusual winter algae blooms.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) conducted a “Sanitary Survey” in September 2021, which led to an Administrative Order being issued three years later. This order highlighted several needed remedial actions for Shreveport’s drinking water system, including essential repairs to water storage tanks and emergency generators. The Water and Sewerage Department noted that, despite these necessary actions, there are no immediate health concerns regarding the water supply.
In response to the deficiencies identified in the survey, the city has dedicated more than $10 million towards addressing these issues. Looking ahead, an additional $40 million is allocated for upcoming projects through the 2024 General Obligation Bonds. City officials have communicated to LDH that repairing the systems would take longer than the initially established 90-day period due to the complexity involved.
Ongoing projects such as the Water Tank Improvement Project aim to address the identified deficiencies and include repairs to all active elevated water towers. Key infrastructure items, such as an emergency generator for the booster pump station serving southeast Shreveport, await final funding decisions. Plans and specifications for these critical projects were developed in collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health, and the city has already secured the necessary construction permits.
As repairs progress, a major challenge remains the continuous operation of the water supply, as improvements to the water storage tanks can only occur during periods of lower demand, typically in the winter months. The construction phases to rectify these issues are expected to span multiple years.
Brandon Snead, the current deputy director of Water and Sewerage, will step in as the interim director until a permanent successor is appointed. City officials, including Mayor Tom Arceneaux, have recognized Daniel’s steady leadership and technical expertise during a challenging period for the city’s infrastructure.
Following his resignation, Daniel may still assist in ongoing negotiations with federal agencies regarding a federal consent decree related to sewer system improvements. His retirement is regarded as a significant loss for the department, given his diligent oversight of the improvements amidst various operational challenges, including severe weather and persistent water quality issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did William Daniel resign?
William Daniel resigned to relocate to south Louisiana to care for elderly family members.
What challenges did the Shreveport Water and Sewerage Department face during Daniel’s tenure?
The department faced issues such as aging infrastructure, high manganese levels in the drinking water, and unusual winter algae blooms.
What are the key actions outlined in the Administrative Order issued by the Louisiana Department of Health?
The Administrative Order includes necessary repairs to water storage tanks and emergency generators.
How much funding has been allocated to address the identified deficiencies?
The city has allocated more than $10 million towards improvements, along with a planned $40 million in upcoming projects through the 2024 General Obligation Bonds.
Who will serve as interim director after Daniel’s resignation?
Brandon Snead, the deputy director, will act as the interim director until a permanent replacement is confirmed.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Times: LDH Administrative Order
- KSLA: Director Resigns
- KTAL News: Director Resigns
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Director to Retire
- The Center Square: Water Issues in Shreveport
- Wikipedia: Water supply and sanitation in the United States
- Google Search: Shreveport water supply issues
- Google Scholar: Shreveport Water Sewerage Department
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Water Supply
- Google News: Shreveport water director resignation
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
