The City of Shreveport’s Department of Water and Sewerage (DOWAS) has recently responded to concerns regarding sewer bill calculations for residential customers. This action follows Mayor Tom Arceneaux’s directive to review the accuracy of sewer bills.

DOWAS identified discrepancies in the calculation method, particularly concerning the Average Water Consumption (AWC) amount used to determine sewer charges. The AWC is calculated based on water usage data from specific months, with adjustments made for months where meter readings are unavailable.

In light of concerns raised during the winter of 2022-23, DOWAS opted to base calculations on data from the previous winter to avoid potential overcharging. While this decision benefited the majority of customers, it led to increased bills for a portion of residential customers. As a remedy, affected customers will receive credits on their March bills.

Director William Daniel emphasized the department’s commitment to transparency and fairness in billing processes. Efforts are underway to propose ordinance changes and implement fully-automated meter reading systems to prevent similar issues in the future.

The Department of Water and Sewerage aims to uphold transparency and fairness in billing processes while ensuring equitable treatment for all residents.