Shreveport’s Water Crisis: Who Will Lead the Fix?

SHREVEPORT, LA

With the recent departure of William Daniel, Shreveport is now faced with the challenge of finding new leadership for the decaying local water and sewerage system but is currently relying on interim director Brandon Sneed to navigate ongoing infrastructure issues. 

Interim Leadership and Infrastructure Challenges 

Brandon Sneed, who has “grown up” within the Water Department according to Mayor Arceneaux, is currently serving as interim director. While the search for a permanent replacement continues, Mayor Arceneaux recently told KEEL News that the difficulty in attracting candidates given the uncertainty of his administration's future. Though in his second year he is firm in stating, "I'm planning to run for re-election, but someone applying for the job doesn't know that," he said. 

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Water Quality and Infrastructure Improvements 

Despite a poor water quality grade, the primary issues for the system are related to infrastructure rather than water safety. The city is moving forward with projects like the water tower repairs, which are already funded and contracted. Arceneaux said it takes time to complete because each tower has to be taken out of commission one at a time, and only during "off-peak" months.

However, there are concerns that despite ongoing efforts, the city may still face another poor grade in 2025 due to unresolved infrastructure issues. 

Manganese Issue Resolved 

The Mayor and the department have assured citizens that the manganese issue, which previously triggered numerous calls to the Louisiana Department of Health, has been resolved, but finding the right person to lead the charge in a struggling department is appearing easier said than done.