Why Does Shreveport Keep Having Water Issues?

SHREVEPORT, LA

It seems Shreveport residents have been dealing with water issues on a much too regular basis now.  Last year was the infamous "Summer of Manganese" where manganese was stirred up when Cross Lake, Shreveport's water supply, turned over.

What Does it Mean When a Lake "Turns Over?"

Lake turnover is a natural process that usually happens twice a year, in the spring and fall.  The lake water mixes from top to bottom. In the spring, the surface of the water warms up, the layers equalize.  And in the fall, as the water cools, those distinct layers disappear.

The city released a statement explaining lake turnover:

A lake turnover occurs when nutrients from the bottom of the lake rise to the surface, which likely triggered the current algae spike as a delayed effect. Cross Lake is a shallow body of water, and that alone presents many complex treatment challenges.. The department is aggressively treating the water to resolve the issue and will continue flushing water pipes to accelerate the distribution of newly treated water throughout the city.  

Around the beginning of this past winter, Cross Lake experienced a rare algae bloom in December that was causing bad taste, but no danger to residents.  You can read more about that HERE.

Why is Shreveport Still Dealing with Water Issues?

Shreveport water officials said that they are still dealing with an algae bloom that is causing the water to have an "earthy taste", but is still safe to use and drink. The Shreveport Water Department released a press statement that said:

 The City of Shreveport’s Water and Sewerage Department continues to address taste and odor issues caused by elevated levels of Geosmin, a naturally occurring compound produced by algae in Cross Lake. Geosmin is harmless but imparts an earthy odor. Although the levels of Geosmin in the finished water have decreased compared to previous weeks, they remain unusually high in Cross Lake.

 

Water officials stress that as they continue to work with outside experts to correct the problem as quickly as possible, the water is still safe to drink.

The Water and Sewerage Department remains committed to providing safe, high-quality water and will continue to keep the public informed as progress is made. If customers are still experiencing odor or taste issues, contact the Department of Water and Sewerage at 318-673-7600. For updates, visit our website