FRENCH SETTLEMENT — French Settlement residents received notices in June that their water provider is in violation of Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) regulations for failing to maintain minimum disinfectant levels during two separate months. According to LDH guidelines, water must be treated with disinfectants to eliminate contaminants that can make it unsafe for drinking and household use.
The utility provider sent notices by both text and letter, informing customers that during the compliance monitoring periods of March 1–31 and April 1–30, the French Settlement water system did not meet the required minimum residual disinfectant levels.
According to the notice, the violation occurred because more than 5% of the water samples collected during those months contained less than 0.5 milligrams per liter of chlorine residual, the minimum level required in treated water. UWK requested clarification from LDH regarding the standard disinfectant levels, but had not received a response as of publication.
While the system was reportedly back in compliance as of May, the notices were not sent to customers until early June.
The notice explained that the well on Aydell Lane is now equipped with a new liquid sodium hypochlorite treatment system, and that repairs are underway on faulty chlorine equipment. The company also stated that it is now monitoring chlorine levels daily.
The notice also warned that “inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms,” including parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Customers with specific health concerns were advised to consult their physicians.
One resident, Kristy Poche, said her daughter began experiencing stomach issues in March. Since then, they’ve visited multiple doctors and made two trips to the ER. Her symptoms include nausea and abdominal pain.
“No one can figure out what’s wrong,” Poche said. “I can’t help but wonder if it’s something with the water. I can’t prove that, but it’s just kind of funny that it all started at the same time.”
Poche also said the water has stained her family’s clothing and left residue in their bathtub and washing machine. She and her husband have had to flush their water heater multiple times due to sediment buildup.
She said that the transparency and communication from the water provider has been severely lacking, and it affects the residents of French Settlement every day.
“I’m angry,” she said. “This could all have been prevented if we’d known they were working on the lines. At least then, we could’ve prepared.”
UWK has requested additional information from the Louisiana Department of Health about the violation and disinfection standards, but the agency has not yet responded.
Water woes
Water quality concerns are nothing new for French Settlement residents.
Last year, UWK reported widespread complaints of discolored tap water, with some residents linking the issue to health concerns following showers or household use. The new utility provider, Nexus Water Group, pledged to address the long-standing problems, which were largely attributed to aging infrastructure, pipe capacity issues, and the need for additional wells.
Since August 2024, pipe repairs have been underway. In September, Nexus engineers attempted a process called “ice pigging” to clean the lines, but the company ultimately suspended the effort due to unsatisfactory results.
In March 2025, construction began on a well located on Hwy 16. The work required temporarily isolating the well from the system, and customers were notified that they might experience water discoloration.
Even before the work started, residents reported discolored water. Just two weeks before the March repairs, several residents submitted photos showing water that left a noticeable residue after draining.
On June 1, the French Settlement Water Company officially merged with Utilities Inc. of Louisiana. It was Utilities Inc. that sent the June notice to residents regarding the disinfectant violation.
On its website, Utilities Inc. includes a list of system improvements, updated as of May 19. Improvements in the French Settlement area include new filtration units at Mercy Lobell, a water well to be added on Delia Street, dual booster pumps at the French Settlement well, upgrades of wells and systems, and more.
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