Timeline of CD

City Receives EPA Complaints for Clean Water Act Violations

A Consent Decree is a legal document that formalizes an agreement reached between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the Louisiana State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the City of Shreveport. The Consent Decree relates specifically to violations of the federal Clean Water Act within the sewer collection system and at the wastewater treatment plants.

Entered Into Consent Decree

In 2014, the City entered into a Consent Decree with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The Consent Decree requires that the City repair defects in the sanitary sewer system to eliminate SSOs. Work must be completed within a 12-year compliance schedule ending on November 12, 2026.

Sewer Assessment and Planning Activities Begin

The City of Shreveport, Louisiana entered into a Consent Decree with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to eliminate Sanitary Sewer Overflows.

Phase 1 Projects Under Construction

The City constructed 30 total projects within SSA Phase 1 with an estimated cost of approximately $190,270,000. All 30 projects have reached final completion. The City Began construction in various areas in 2016 working within nine neighborhoods including Allendale, Cedar Grove, and Hollywood Heights.

Phase 2 Projects Under Construction

A total of 17 projects were developed based for Phase 2 with a total cost of $114,395,205 . All 17 projects have reached final completion and work was done in five neighborhoods including Lakeside, Queensborough, and Querbes.

Program Management Transition

The City of Shreveport changed Program Managers during Year 6. Burns & McDonell Engineering Company and its sub-consultants; Bonton Associates, Sustainable Design Solutions, and Envision Media & Marketing were appointed as the new Program Management Team. As a part of the transition, the newly appointed team completed a review of the City's Consent Decree compliance, technical approach, and program affordability. 

Critical Projects

A total of 19 projects were selected and termed Critical by The City of Shreveport, many of which were presumed to eliminate bypass pumping operations and mitigate pipe collapses. The estimated total cost of the projects was $70,630,753. These 19 projects were essential to maintaining reliable water and wastewater utility services.

Consent Decree Program Funding

After evaluating progress to date and the available funding for Consent Decree Year 6, The City and PMT concluded the remaining Consent Decree obligations were projected to cost well over $1 billion dollars. A significantly higher program total from the initial estimate at the beginning of Consent Decree Year 1 of $350 million dollars. 

Additional Critical Projects

The city of Shreveport identified 23 additional projects that were included in the Critical Projects Portfolio. These projects were identified through continued capital planning activities, that focused projects on SSO mitigation, compliance, and maintaining reliable wastewater and water utility systems. 

Phase 3 Design Packages Developed

Design packages were constructed for the 14 projects that were developed for Phase 3, with an estimated construction cost of  $172,930,000. Of the 14 projects, only one has reached final completion due to limited financial resources, causing a halt in bidding and construction for the remaining 13 projects. 

City Begins to Reprioritize Program and Pursues Consent Decree Modification

Critical Project Delivery and Consent Decree Modification Discussions Ongoing

Current Consent Decree Deadline