LA: Water rate increase needed

Town has no meters, charges flat $7 monthly

LAKE ARTHUR- Water rates could be on the rise here.

Mayor Sherry Crochet said that it is time to address the issue, which will be discussed at a March meeting.

“We have until the year 2020 to take care of this matter or the town will not be eligible for any grants,” said Crochet. “We have no choice. It is time to address the situation.”

Crochet said that Lake Arthur currently has three wells in operation.

“These wells typically have a life expectancy of 35 years,” she said. “Our two main wells are 58 years old. The third well is smaller and cannot sustain the amount of water needed here.”

Due to the fact that the water department is now running at a deficit, Crochet said there is no money available for updates or repairs.

Residents of the town are currently paying a rate of $7 for water services.

“It is costing the town $5.22 per citizen to provide those services,” said Crochet. “The town is basically eating the bill.”

Crochet said that there are currently no water meters and therefore no way to tell where the water is being lost.

“Citizens have water leaks but because they don’t pay for the amount of water they are using, they do not bother to find and fix the leak,” said Crochet. “With meters in place, it would help solve that problem because each household would be charged for the amount of water being used.”

The town sends out bills to 1,100 customers each month but Crochet thinks there are cases of theft due to the fact that people are tapping into others’ water.

“I know if the meters are in place, we will see much more than 1,100 customers,” said Crochet.

Additionally, money being spent on chemicals used to treat the water is being wasted as well due to water leaks.

“There has been a 10 percent increase on the price of chemicals for the past two years,” said Crochet. “At the rate we are going, there is no way we can afford to keep this up with the current rates.”

“At the rate we are going, there is no way we can afford to keep this up with the current rates.”
– Mayor Sherry Crochet

Crochet also said the town does not soften water and residents must take care of this on their own as of now.

“We cannot provide better water without money,” said Crochet.

Councilman Sampson LeJeune said that people are spending around $35 per month for water softeners. If the town’s water system were to be updated to include that part, people would likely see a lower cost for water services each month.

At a special meeting Wednesday morning, experts from surrounding water districts were available to advise the town on how updated systems work.

Tony Sonnier of Jeff Davis Water District 4 and David Trahan of Jeff Davis Water District 1 discussed operations in their own districts.

“Our district obtained money for an updated system through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and they have set rates to sustain the loan payments,” said Sonnier. “You have to know the cost to produce the water and the cost to sustain your area. You must also maintain the infrastructure of the wells providing the water.”

Sonnier said that bills in his district run an average of $35-40 a month for a family of four, with a flat minimum charge of $16 monthly for 2,500 gallons.

“We rely solely on water sales to maintain and operate our plant,” said Sonnier. “We do not get any tax-funded help.”

Sonnier said there are 1,300 customers in his district, which is close to the same amount Lake Arthur is currently serving.

“What your system needs to sustain the town affects what the rates have to be,” said Sonnier.

Trahan said his district serves over 3,000 citizens with a minimum rate of $15 a month. That district has also made use of funds available through USDA loans.

“It all starts with how many people you are serving,” said Trahan. “How much water you will need and how much you can produce are the main factors.”

Steps are currently being taken by Lake Arthur officials to gather information about how to best resolve water issues.

Crochet said the town has been attending classes to learn what is available to the town.

“Plans are already in the works,” said Crochet. “I’m not trying to rip off the residents. I believe in fairness, you pay for what you use.”

An ordinance to raise water rates to $18 monthly will go before councilmen Wednesday, March 6 at 6 p.m. Representatives from surrounding water districts will be there to share information with residents.