(The Center Square) — The Caddo Parish Commission, at the urging of Greenwood Mayor Justin Davis, will postpone a hearing on an ordinance that would move $750,000 from the Greenwood Water system to build an extension for Dawson Road.
The hearing will be held on Feb. 20 at the commission’s next meeting after an unanimous vote of the commission on Thursday.
Davis was elected as mayor last year. As of July 1, newly elected city officials began focusing on improving water systems and working with the Louisiana Department of Health to provide quality water.
“Our current priority is providing the quality water our existing customers need. In my opinion, it’s quality over quantity,” Davis said.
The town water system currently provides water to Deer Creek and Timberline subdivisions, Walden Ferry, and along the Texas state line down U.S. 80., all of which are outside the town limits. In addition to his request to reallocate funds, Davis also asked for the stipulation for the citizen’s water committee to be removed.
Davis noted that if this funding were allocated, it could help with many projects in Greenwood, including the replacement of their above-ground storage tanks and the reworking of the tank piping.
Two of the town’s above-ground storage tanks were built in 1994, one of which is nonoperational. According to Davis, the other faces the same fate. The projects are estimated to cost the town roughly $500,000 plus fees.
These are not the first concerns to arise over the water supply and access within Greenwood.
Stormy Gage-Watts, Commission President, addressed a concern in the work session of the Greenwood residents in The Village Apartments off Greenwood Rd., losing their water supply on Feb. 27.
Emergency relocation funds are available and budgeted in the reserve trust funds. In the event of an emergency relocation, funds from this reserve are used to relocate those who need it. The commission president requested to assist the residents of The Village Apartments before they lose water.
In December, Greenwood residents experienced low water pressure after a break located on a 10-inch water main was found. This leak caused low pressure, and some residents experienced complete water loss.
In 2022, WAFB reported tap water concerns for the town after a citizen came forward with yellow tap water in Greenwood next to the clear water in Shreveport. According to a statement from the Louisiana Health Department, the color was due to manganese buildup.
The commission will vote on the emergency relocation of The Village Apartment residents at a later date.
