Wells Island water to be turned back on

For James Smiley, going without water has been difficult.

"I feel like a caveman," says Smiley. "I haul water from the parish's water truck down here, or I go to my brother's house and get water. My kids bring me water... one gallon at a time."

On Thursday, Caddo Parish will have water turned back on for the Wells Island community.

The small neighborhood has gone without, because Analytical Logging resold residents city water, and never paid the city of Shreveport.

So the city cut the water off.

"I mean, you don't know how good you got it until it's gone," says Smiley.

Monday at an emergency Caddo Parish Commission meeting, parish officials announced a plan to put down water lines.

That means residents will have access to city water, but the cost is $300,000.

The Commission has come up with a plan that has different payment options, so residents won't bare the total cost.

"We do have a long range plan," says Commissioner Michael Williams. "We do have two options on that. That is to put in a water line and allow a joint venture between residents, the businesses and the parish and city to help finance the project."

Williams said the parish still has to present a long term plan to the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals.

At least in the meantime, the small community will have water.

We'll keep you updated on the parish's plan.