A state of emergency was declared in the beginning of 2023 for Waterworks District #3. Romero said he thought things would be fixed once it was lifted, but he never saw improvements.

IBERIA PARISH, LA (KLFY) -- Coteau residents have complained for a long time about the poor quality of water they have been supplied with. One resident said the water is so bad, he refuses to use it for anything.

"We don't use that water," Pharell Romero said. "We don't even use it to mop because it stains floor."

A state of emergency was declared in the beginning of 2023 for Waterworks District #3. Romero said he thought things would be fixed once it was lifted, but he never saw improvements.

"It's still yellow," he said. "It's still brown sometimes. It's not good at all for us. I mean, you could get sick with that."

Despite what some residents are saying, Director of Waterworks District #3 Brad Cradeur said tremendous improvements have been made since he started at there with more work on the way.

"We are now producing 50% more filtered portable water than we were a year and a half ago before I took over," Cradeur said. "We have $400,000 to $500,000 worth of repairs and infrastructure into the facility with a lot more to come."

Cradeur said he is aware of what Coteau residents have dealt with in the past and assures that will not continue as his team works tirelessly to continue supplying the town the quality of water it deserves.

"I understand what they've gone through in the past and part of the reason why I am here," he said. "That's why our team has been working hard to get it better and better. We want what's best for all of our customers and we're going to keep trying to do that."

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