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Bossier City council introduces water rate changes and $10 million ARPA plan to upgrade treatment with nanofiltration pilot phase
Summary
Councilors introduced and debated water and sanitation rate increases tied to a state water‑sector study and advanced a first reading to spend $10 million in ARPA funds to modernize ozone/oxidant systems as Phase 1 of a nanofiltration program; council approved the introductions and an amendment limiting automatic annual increases after 2026.
Bossier City officials moved forward with a package of utility‑related measures Friday that would raise customer bills modestly and fund early steps toward a long‑term water treatment upgrade.
City staff told the council a state‑commissioned rate study showed the utility needs additional revenue to remain eligible for $5 million in water‑sector grant funding and to maintain an adequate water grade. Presenting staff said the measures would increase the flat rate and usage charges for 2025 (an average household impact of about $6 on water alone) and add a sanitation adjustment, producing roughly $18 total for an average household once both changes take effect.
Engineering staff also presented a plan to use $10,000,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funds to complete Phase 1 of a nanofiltration‑related program. The city said Phase 1 would modernize and replace aging ozone equipment, add oxidant injection for plant 3 to control seasonal manganese spikes and prepare the system for possible later nanofiltration deployment. The presenter said the full conversion to a nanofiltration system had been estimated at about $35 million but that the Phase 1 work now proposed would be scoped to $10 million and focus on assets the city already uses.
"This project will modernize our ozone systems and put plant 3 in a posture to address manganese and organics," the presenter said during the council briefing. Staff emphasized that the pilot work and grant funding to date had improved disinfection‑byproduct metrics in tests and that state officials have been interested in surface‑water systems moving away from chloramine protocols.
Council members pressed staff on alternatives, timing and the state's short deadline for the rate‑study response. One councilmember proposed amending the ordinance to adopt the 2025 adjustments and a 2% increase for 2026 only, rather than an indefinite annual 2% escalation; the council adopted that amendment and then introduced the ordinance as amended. Staff estimated the average customer bill would rise about $6 from the water changes and that combined water, sanitation and related fees could average about $18 per household.
Council discussion also covered financial mechanics for larger projects: staff said the city has pursued multiple grants including a $500,000 pilot grant, and noted that unused ARPA funds designated for the project would have to be returned. Members asked for clearer public communications about timing and impacts before the second readings.
The ordinances were introduced on first reading; council members voted to introduce the appropriations and budget amendments and to approve the motion to amend the rate ordinance, with votes noted as carried for introduction. The next procedural step is the second reading and final vote where specific ballot or budget actions will be confirmed.
The council packet and staff presentations included additional technical details on manganese control, biofouling mitigation and pilot results; staff committed to provide follow‑up materials and customer impact breakdowns before the next reading.
