SHREVEPORT, La. — Shreveport residents will likely see higher water and sewer bills in the coming years as the city works to pay for federally mandated infrastructure upgrades, city officials said during the first meeting of the Clean Water Task Force.
 
The task force, which met Wednesday at Government Plaza, was created under House Resolution 367, sponsored by state Rep. Joy Walters, to examine the city's water system after years of concerns over water quality and reliability. The group includes city leaders, water and public health experts and engineers tasked with reviewing the system and recommending improvements, including evaluating future utility rates.
 
City Chief Administrative Officer Tom Dark told the task force that while Shreveport's water rates remain relatively low compared with many other cities, sewer rates are among the highest.
 
"You can use 4,000 gallons of water here for about $17 a month," Dark said. "That's low. But someone may only pay $17 for water while their sewer bill is closer to $55."
 
Dark said the city will eventually need to raise rates to help pay for major sewer system improvements required under a federal consent decree. 
 
"Nothing costs what it cost four years ago, and nothing costs now what it'll cost 10 years from now," Dark said. "The best thing that we can do is put out a good quality product. People are less likely to get angry every time they get a bill."
 
The city is also negotiating modifications to its federal sewer consent decree, but Dark said the required work will remain costly regardless of the outcome.
 
"The work that we're going to be required to do ... is going to be a lot more expensive than anything we do here," Dark said. "So rates are going to be going up. But there will always be a balance between trying to do it in the way that is the least onerous for the folks."
 
Dark said he does not expect utility rates to increase this year. He also said the city plans to involve the public in discussions before any changes are approved.
 
Shreveport remains under a federal consent decree requiring major improvements to its sewer system, with the current compliance deadline set for the end of 2026.