FRENCH SETTLEMENT — Customers in French Settlement could notice some water discoloration this week due to work that will start on the system’s well on Highway 16. This is according to a recent notice sent out by the water company.
Work on the well will begin March 5th, which will require isolating the well from the rest of the water system. Customers could experience discolored water, the notice advised, but a drop in the system’s pressure is not expected.
Renovations could take two weeks, and customers are encouraged to report concerns with their water by calling (225) 333-3319.
At this time, the company says they are not expecting to issue any boil advisories.
“Generally speaking, brown water doesn’t always mean a boil advisory will be issued. The system must lose pressure below 20 psi for a boil advisory to be issued,” a Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) spokesperson told UWK.
Two weeks ago, the LDH responded to questions on the status of both French Settlement’s water and the condition of the water in Albany.
The LDH said there were no current issues with the French Settlement water, according to its records. This is despite photos of yellow-brown water coming from taps and leaving behind sediment in customers’ tubs.
According to the LDH, the most recent boil water advisory for French Settlement was issued on Feb. 12th due to pressure loss, but the advisory was canceled on Feb. 13th.
A French Settlement resident shared her photos of the water from last week, saying the discolored water had been going on for multiple days.
“It’s completely unacceptable for a water company to leave customers in the dark when there’s a serious issue,” said Kristy Poche. “How is it acceptable to have brown water for four days with no updates or a boil advisory?”
French Settlement currently has two wells that supply water to the village, and residents have seen issues with water pressure and discoloration for some time. Nexus Water Group, which took over operations of French Settlement Water Company in 2024, has plans to address the aging system’s failings, including eventually adding another well to the system.
For more information about ongoing work on the water system, visit the company’s system improvement page.
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