Important Information About Your Drinking Water
Monroe Water System Did Not Meet Treatment Requirements
The Monroe Water System is currently in violation of the treatment technique requirements for inactivation of viruses as set forth in the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). Although this incident is not an emergency, as our customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this situation.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) sets drinking water standards and has determined that the presence of microbiological contaminants are a health concern at certain levels of exposure. Inadequately treated water may contain microbiological contaminants that are disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses, and parasites which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea, and associated headaches. These symptoms, however, are not caused only by organisms in drinking water, but also by other factors. LDH has set enforceable requirements for treating drinking water to reduce the risk of these adverse health effects. Treatment such as filtering and disinfecting the water removes or destroys microbiological contaminants. Drinking water which is treated to meet LDH requirements is associated with little to none of this risk and should be considered safe.
In order to ensure proper disinfection, water in the treatment plant must be in contact with enough chlorine or a similar disinfectant for a minimum amount of time to kill or inactivate organisms such as viruses and parasites. The amount of time necessary, or the "contact time," depends on the amount of disinfectant in the water and the temperature of the water. On January 25, 26, and 27, 2026, the Monroe Water System did not achieve the minimum inactivation for viruses and giardia required through disinfection.
You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective actions. However, if you have specific health concerns, consult your doctor. People with severely compromised immune systems, infants, and some elderly may be at increased risk. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. General guidelines on ways to lessen the risk of infection by microbes are available from EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.
Action has been taken to prevent this violation from recurring. From January 25th through January 27th, the facility experienced a loss of power to Bayou DeSiard, its primary raw water source, and temporarily transitioned to the Ouachita River. Elevated organic demand in the river water reduced disinfection residuals, resulting in the inability to meet required giardia and virus inactivation contact time requirements during this period. Plant personnel remained in communication with Entergy regarding power restoration. Upon restoration, operations returned to Bayou DeSiard, normal treatment conditions were reestablished, and compliance with virus inactivation contact time requirements were achieved on January 28, 2026.
For more information, please contact Sean L. Benton at 318-329-2386 or 2401 N. 10th Street, Monroe, Louisiana 71201.
Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.
March 29 2026
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