Much of Jefferson Parish’s sewer and water infrastructure, which includes over 1,800 miles of subsurface pipes, was installed in the 1950s and 1960s, and has outlived its natural life. Due to our aging infrastructure, the Jefferson Parish Water Department responds to about 200 water leaks per week. Some parts are so outdated that replacements are no longer available.

In 2021, the Administration requested and the Council approved graduated water and sewer rate increases over a 20-year period (2022-2041) to help fund vital improvements to the aging infrastructure. Rate increases began January 1, 2022 with the goal of constructing immediate needs and establishing a 20-year, $790 million pipe replacement program to address the deterioration of the existing subsurface water distribution network.

In 2022, Jefferson Parish borrowed almost $300 million in bonds to start on water and sewer system improvements. There are around 70 projects in what we believe are the worst areas that are in the design phase.

The graduated rate increase has also allowed the parish to secure $192 million in bonds for vital, planned water infrastructure projects, including:

• A new East Bank Water Treatment Plant
• Parish-wide water meter replacement with new, automated meters
• Rehabilitation of all 11 water towers
• The replacement and lowering of the most problematic sections of the 32-mile Lafitte to Grand Isle water line
• A pipe replacement program

Jefferson Parish's water and sewer rates are far below neighboring parishes and the national average. These new rates bring us closer to what is charged by comparably-sized systems and allow us to bond out hundreds of millions of dollars to begin needed upgrades and continue maintenance. 

Without this additional funding, the systems will no longer be able to provide the level of service that Jefferson Parish residents expect. 

Presentations

In August 2021, Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng and Public Works Director Mark Drewes requested a graduated, 20-year rate increase to help fund vital improvements to our aging water and sewer infrastructure (download PDF of presentation).

View 2024 Utility Bill Increase Presentation

Community Letters of Support

Elmwood Business Association     

Jefferson Business Council     

Jefferson Chamber of Commerce

In the News

Jefferson Parish utility bills are going up again in January. Here’s why. (The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)

Jefferson Parish utilities will go up in January (WWL-TV)

Jefferson Parish utility rates set to increase for nearly 20 years (WVUE-TV)

Jefferson Parish utilities will increase in January (WDSU-TV)

Jefferson Parish residents will have new 'smart' water meters in 2024 (WWL-TV)

Smart water meters coming to Orleans, Jefferson parishes (Axios New Orleans)

New smart water meters are coming to almost all of Jefferson Parish. Here's when. (The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)

How can Jefferson Parish avoid another major water main break? There's a $2.3 billion plan. (The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)

Water, sewer rates could go up in Jefferson Parish. See President Cynthia Lee Sheng's plan (The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)   

Bureau of Governmental Research Issues Report on Jefferson Water and Sewer Tax Proposals (2021)