Bossier City, LA, October 9, 2025
News Summary
Bossier City has received an A grade for its water system from the Louisiana Department of Health, while Shreveport received an F. Bossier City faces ongoing water main ruptures requiring significant emergency expenditures, exceeding $2.5 million in 2023. Contrastingly, Shreveport’s low grade is attributed to aging infrastructure and high levels of manganese and algae in its water supply. This stark difference highlights the disparities in water system performance between the two cities.
Bossier City has received an A grade for its water system according to the latest report from the Louisiana Department of Health, contrasting sharply with Shreveport, which continues to struggle, receiving an F grade for its water system for both 2023 and 2024. The stark differences between the two cities highlight the ongoing challenges and achievements in water infrastructure management in the region.
Recently, Bossier City experienced a setback when a cable company ruptured two water mains, leading to water outages for multiple subdivisions and necessitating a boil advisory. This incident is part of a broader pattern of water and sewer main ruptures that have compelled the city’s Public Utilities Department to conduct emergency repairs throughout the year. The department often faces resource limitations that lead to the hiring of outside contractors for urgent repairs.
As a result, the Bossier City Council passed an ordinance allowing them to designate emergencies post facto, which enables access to contingency funds while bypassing the state’s Public Bid Law. As of October 7, 2023, the city council has approved over $2.5 million in emergency expenditures to date for critical water and sewer main pipe repairs and investigations. This figure does not include additional costs related to lift stations, water treatment, or manhole repairs, which also amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. The emergency repair costs incurred by Bossier City in 2023 have already exceeded last year’s total of $1.9 million.
According to Bossier City’s Public Information Officer, Louis Johnson, the challenges of maintaining a large water system are expected due to its extensive network of pipes. Despite the issues faced, the city received an A grade largely due to customer satisfaction scores that were the primary reason for any points deducted.
On the other hand, Shreveport‘s situation appears far more dire. The city scored 55 out of 100 points in the latest report, marking a decline of two points from the previous year. Factors contributing to Shreveport’s F grade include elevated levels of manganese and algae in the water supply, which have been persistent issues linked to the city’s aging infrastructure. Furthermore, the water system is currently under federal scrutiny due to its deteriorating conditions.
Outgoing Water and Sewerage Director William Daniel noted the historical neglect regarding Shreveport’s water system but pointed to some ongoing improvements, such as the rebuilding of water towers. It is important to clarify that receiving a failing grade does not necessarily mean that the drinking water is unsafe, according to the Louisiana Department of Health, which indicates potential long-term concerns instead.
In Caddo Parish, where Shreveport is located, only two community water systems received F grades. This statistic underscores the significant disparities in water system performance between Bossier City and Shreveport.
FAQ Section
What grade did Bossier City’s water system receive?
Bossier City’s water system received an A grade in the 2024 Louisiana Department of Health report.
What grade did Shreveport’s water system receive?
Shreveport received an F grade for its water system in both 2023 and 2024.
What issues have arisen in Bossier City regarding water and sewer systems?
Bossier City faced a rupture of two water mains due to a cable company’s actions, leading to outages and a boil advisory. The city has had a trend of water and sewer main ruptures requiring emergency repairs throughout the year.
How much has Bossier City approved for emergency repair expenditures in 2023?
The Bossier City Council has approved over $2.5 million in emergency expenditures for water and sewer main pipe repairs and investigations in 2023.
What are the reasons for Shreveport’s low grade?
Shreveport’s low grade is attributed to significant deficiencies in infrastructure, high manganese levels, and algae issues.
How does the Louisiana Department of Health view Shreveport’s grade?
A failing grade does not equate to unsafe drinking water, and the Department indicates potential long-term concerns related to infrastructure.
Key Features Summary
| Feature | Bossier City | Shreveport |
|---|---|---|
| Water System Grade | A | F |
| Emergency Expenditures (2023) | Over $2.5 million | N/A |
| Key Issues | Water main ruptures, resource limitations | Aging infrastructure, high manganese levels, algae issues |
| Federal Scrutiny | No | Yes |
| Historical Grade Trends | Consistent improvements | Declining scores |
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport-Bossier Advocate: Emergency Water & Sewer Main Repairs
- KSLA: LA Dept. Health Releases Water System Grades
- KTBS: Shreveport Gets an F on Water Report Card
- KTBS: Bossier City Water and Sanitation Rates to Rise
- Wikipedia: Shreveport, Louisiana
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.
