Beginning in 1998, the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released its Report Card for America’s Infrastructure every four years.  Much like a school report card, letter grades are assigned to various infrastructure components based on physical condition and investment requirements.  Grades are assigned broadly to the country and to each state, specifically.  With each report card, the same issues prevail: infrastructure age and associated underperformance and insufficient investment.

Now, Louisiana has adopted the same concept.  In 2021, the state legislature authorized the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Safe Drinking Water Program to issue grades that reflect the quality and performance of water systems known as the Community Drinking Water Accountability Rule.  In May, the LDH published its first water system report card aimed at improving transparency regarding the successes and failures of its 951 water systems, assigning a letter grade to each water system.  Each year, states are required by law to communicate information pertaining to drinking water contaminants, but Louisiana incorporates seven standards that include data on utility finances, operations, and customer complaints to further evaluate the infrastructure, sustainability, and water quality.

The legislation is meant to provide residents an overview of their water systems and to encourage improved accountability and sustainability.  This year, 68 percent of the state’s systems received a grade of A or B while 15 percent received a grade of D or F.[1]  For failing systems, LDH supports efforts to attain compliance with loans or grants to upgrade or replace infrastructure or to consolidate with another compliant water system.  According to LDH, approximately one-third of the failing water systems have received or have applied for funding to address deficiencies.

While some argue that the grade system does not encourage utilities to do more than the minimum, others argue that the system will encourage accountability and action.  State Sen. Fred Mills, who authored the legislation, stated, “I know that the water system grades will be a valuable tool for consumers and an incentive for water systems to make their infrastructure a priority.”[2]

[1] Louisiana Department of Health. “Water System Grades - Final.” Water Grade 2022 | La Dept. of Health, ldh.la.gov/page/4815. Accessed 11 July 2023.

[2] Louisiana Department of Health. “Water System Grades - Final.” Water Grade 2022 | La Dept. of Health, ldh.la.gov/page/4815. Accessed 11 July 2023.