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IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER
Independence Water System Failed to Take Corrective Action Following Identification of a
Significant Deficiency
On September 08, 2025 the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) performed a detailed
inspection and engineering evaluation of our water system called a sanitary survey. During this
sanitary survey, they identified one or more significant deficiencies in our system. As our
customers, you have a right to know what happened and what we are doing to correct this
situation. According to EPA’s Ground Water Rule, we were required to correct the deficiency (or
deficiencies) or work with the State to develop a plan to correct the deficiency (or deficiencies).
However, we failed to correct the deficiency or contact the State before the established deadline
and have therefore violated a requirement of the Ground Water Rule.
What should I do?
There is nothing you need to do. You do not need to boil your water or take other corrective
actions. If a situation arises where the water is no longer safe to drink, you will be notified within
24 hours.
What does this mean?
This is not an emergency. If it had been an emergency, you would have been notified within 24
hours.
This significant deficiency has the potential to result in lack of proper treatment and oversight of
the water system. Inadequately treated or inadequately protected water may contain disease-
causing organisms. These organisms can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, cramps, and
associated headaches. While we have not detected any evidence of contamination or other health
threats related to our source water, we are still committed to correcting the deficiency to eliminate
the threat of contamination.
What was done?
The Town took the necessary corrective actions to address the significant deficiency by
implementing a formal annual backflow prevention certification process and developing a revised
inventory of businesses with backflow preventers. The Water System standardized the program to
require annual certification verification consistent with the Louisiana Sanitary Code for all
applicable devices, including consistent tracking of inspection dates, test results, and compliance
status. In addition, a comprehensive and up-to-date log of businesses with backflow preventers
was created and cross-referenced with permitting and utility records to ensure accuracy and
completeness. These corrective actions have strengthened oversight, ensured timely certifications,
and established a more reliable system for maintaining ongoing compliance with backflow
prevention requirements.
For more information, please contact the Town of Independence at (985) 878-4145.
Date Distributed: February 11, 2026
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