Sunset residents want answers about ongoing water issues

SUNSET, La. (KLFY) -- Residents are voicing concerns and frustration with the continuous discoloration of water in Sunset and the financial burden it is causing to have decent water.

Alicia Stanley said she and her family have lived in Sunset for more than 10 years, but the constant issues with water quality has her thinking throughout the year about moving her family.

"It's gotten so bad that we spent about $7,000 on a water filtration system about two years ago because the water was just constantly yellow. I can't take a bath. I haven't taken a bath in my bathtub in probably four or five years because it’s disgusting," she said.

As a family of five, Stanley said her family worries about sanitation and the never-ending boil advisory.

“We feel like our water's unsanitary. It's obviously got issues with it that it's not clear water. It's brown and yellow water. There have been complaints in the neighborhood. We don't think the water is healthy. It definitely doesn't look healthy and it's just been going unnoticed. I compared it to Flint, Michigan, because it went on for so long and people were getting sick and had bad water,” Stanley said. 

With the water filtration system, she said things have changed for the better but they have to clean it every six months. 

A Facebook page called "Oak Trace Neighborhood" also shows many people complaining about their water. Stanley said she went to the town meeting about a year ago to ask questions and get answers, but hasn't seen a change in what was promised. 

“We feel like we're being lied to and there's not any attention being put on it at all," she said.

"We love the area. We love living here, but with the roads and the water, it's just we might have to move to Carencro," she continued.

In February of 2023, Sunset was awarded $3.016 million by the Louisiana Department of Health’s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund Program (DWRLF) to construct a new water well and filtering system, as well as make upgrades to an existing well and properly shut inoperable facility, according to the DWRLF.

Sunset mayor agreed to do an interview but told News 10 he was out of town. He then agreed to send a statement about the updates on the progress with the water well and filter system but News 10 did not receive it by news time. 

Latest News