Journal Staff

A break in a 42-inch concrete transmission main at Shreveport’s primary water treatment facility near Cross Lake has triggered a citywide public health emergency, forcing school closures, government shutdowns and a boil water advisory affecting the entire city, officials said Monday.

Mayor Tom Arceneaux said the city faces “about a week of crisis.” A temporary repair is expected by Friday, March 6, with a permanent fix to follow once the area can be drained. The damaged pipe — a concrete main installed in 1979 — lies underwater inside the Thomas L. Amiss Water Purification Plant, complicating both the diagnosis and repair.

“The line is under water, so we really can’t necessarily assess it,” Arceneaux said. “The water system is old.”

Residents across much of the city are experiencing low or no water pressure, with higher-elevation neighborhoods in central and west Shreveport hit hardest. A citywide voluntary boil advisory is in effect for up to two weeks. Emergency water distribution has been set up at the Highland Center and Morning Star Baptist Church. Officials are urging residents to delay laundry and avoid watering lawns to help stabilize system pressure.

The majority of Caddo Parish public schools shifted to virtual instruction Monday and Tuesday. Loyola College Prep, John Berchmans and St. Joseph Catholic schools, LSU Shreveport, Northwestern State’s Shreveport campus and Ayers Career College also closed or went virtual. The Shreveport City Courthouse and City Marshal’s administrative offices were temporarily shuttered.

The emergency compounds existing pressure on the city’s water system. The Louisiana Department of Health issued an administrative order in 2025 citing infrastructure deficiencies dating to 2021, requiring Shreveport to repair flow meters, sensors and actuators, install backup power at pump sites and complete elevated tank repairs by April.

Voters approved 2 million in water system improvements in 2024, and several projects are in design — though the failed main was not among lines slated for replacement. “Unfortunately, we didn’t get these improvements in the ground before this event occurred,” Arceneaux said.

Residents can check their pressure zone status at shreveportlawater.gov. City officials said updates will continue as crews work to restore stable water service citywide.