Natchitoches officials say they cannot adjust water bills due to leaks caused by winter storms Snow in Natchitoches, La. on Feb. 15, 2021 (Source: Viewer) By Rachael Thomas | March 16, 2021 at 4:48 PM CDT - Updated March 16 at 4:48 PM
NATCHITOCHES, La. (KSLA) - The City of Natchitoches announced Tuesday, March 16 that while it cannot make adjustments on customersâ bills due to water leaks during the severe winter weather in February, they can set up payment plans for customers.
The city says per the attorney generalâs office, government agencies are not allowed to make adjustments on utility bills regarding water leaks.
During the severe winter storms, many customers experienced burst pipes, leading to water leaks. Those who experienced these issues will likely see higher than normal bills. The city released the following statement about the issue:
He can’t find one.
“There just aren’t any vacancies,” said community activist Roger Foggle, who’s trying to help Montgomery and his neighbors at the Reserve of Bellevue Apartments. Right now housing is the issue. These people need somewhere to live.
The lack of housing in a growing city was a problem long before the storm.
Now, with people displaced from storm damage, it s even worse. We just need for the complexes in the city who have vacancies, contact these apartment complexes and let them know you have vacancies,” Foggle said. “They re trying to help these people get housed.
I said, oh my goodness! What is happening? What are we going to do, Karla Mena said.
Mena and her daughter, Larissa Dip, have been coming to the Ronald McDonald House from Honduras for the last four-years to treat Larissa s hip dysplasia.
When the pipes burst, she and other parents weren t thinking about their own troubles. They picked up brooms to start sweeping flood water out of the building. So you ve already got a sick child, you re dealing with COVID, and now this happens, Cumnock said. I think the most impactful thing for me was watching how these families reacted to it.
“It’s ridiculous,” said resident Piper Graham. “It’s been over a week now.”
The apartment is providing water hoses in the clubhouse with potable water for tenants. Residents are also able to access the clubhouse facilities.
Many residents from India live in the complex and find it hard to believe this is happening in America.
“We come to the U.S. for better living,” said a resident named Ravi.
“There are 25 buildings, so far they have fixed water in just five buildings,” said another resident who did not provide his name.
Chaitanya Budima, his wife and their two children, ages 8 and 5, live at Bel Air Willow Bend.