Saint Landry Parish Residents Band Together to Bring Clean Water to Area

KROTZ SPRINGS, La. (AP) — Construction is under way on a $1 million project to extend waterlines from the Krotz Springs municipal system to serve an area along Louisiana Highway 105 dotted by residential water wells that have shown high levels of arsenic.

The Advocate reports the project has been driven mainly by residents, who came together to form the St. Landry Parish Water Works District 5 to oversee the project.

Arsenic, which can naturally occur or be introduced through agricultural or industrial activity, has been linked to cancer and a long list of other ailments.

Janie Neely, who serves on the water board, says the arsenic in the St. Landry Parish water wells is believed to be naturally occurring, and the only viable option for clean water was to find another source.