Killian ask governor’s office to step in amid water crisis

Sydney Simone
·2 min read

KILLIAN, La. (BRPROUD) — In Livingston Parish, the water emergency in Killian continues as parish leaders are calling out for help.

Killian and Livingston Parish have declared a state of emergency. Officials say now they’re waiting for the governor’s office to step in.

“You know, no one in the year 2024 should be drinking brown water. That’s unacceptable,” said Dean Coates, Livingston Parish District 8 Councilman.

Coates says a busted screen or damaged casing on the well is costing Livingston Parish about $30,000 a day.

“We’re trying to get our state counterparts to partner with us also. That way, it could open up the resources of the state for us to be able to get resources for the town in the interim that we’re waiting for the money to fix the well,” said Coates.

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Coates says Killian is required to have two wells in operation. Out of the three, two wells are down, and one is dishing out murky and undrinkable water.

“We don’t even have enough water pressure to be able to fight fires or anything if something like that was to occur right now. The other thing is we have people who have medical needs within the town,” said Coates.

To help, the town is giving away water, paper towels, and other necessities. If you’re in need, you must have your most recent water bill to pick up water and other resources.

“It’s a small community and low population, miles and miles of water line, really many miles because it’s extremely spread out geographically, we’re one of the largest towns in the state,” said Jimmy Collins, Killian resident.

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In the meantime, Killian officials also say they’re in desperate need of donations like water and sanitizing materials. To help, you can drop off supplies at the town hall.

We asked if the governor’s office has a position on the state of emergency for Killian. This was their response, “as of now we don’t – we are in contact with the health department and GOSHEP and local officials,” said Kate Kelly, Gov. Jeff Landry’s director of communications.

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