Why Erin Brockovich Says “Egos” Are Costing Bossier Millions in Damaged Infrastructure

If you live in Bossier City, you’ve likely noticed the problem every time you turn on the kitchen tap: the smell of chlorine is back, and it’s stronger and more unbearable than ever.

The discomfort has driven many residents, myself included, to rely exclusively on bottled or filtered water.

This recurring public health concern recently attracted the attention of Erin Brockovich, the renowned American consumer advocate and environmental activist. If that name sounds familiar, it's because her historic work leading a major groundwater contamination lawsuit against Pacific Gas & Electric Company in California was the subject of the blockbuster film Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts.

Brockovich, known for her sharp, direct style, didn't mince words when addressing the Bossier City issues. She took to her Facebook page to share a stinging rebuke, asserting that the city's leadership is incapable of helping itself:

"We have tried and tried to help this community... they just can't get out of their own way... massive egos have cost this community millions in damaged infrastructure and health concerns."

In Brockovich’s view, the root of Bossier City's persistent water woes isn't just aging pipes; it's a crippling institutional pride that prevents necessary change.

The Source of Bossier’s Water Anxiety

The community’s heightened sensitivity to chlorine is understandable and dates back to a terrifying period in 2018. The city had to deal with an outbreak of the brain-eating amoeba contamination (Naegleria fowleri). To fight this deadly microbe, the city instituted intense chemical disinfection processes known locally as "chlorine burns" to regain control.

The current, overwhelming smell suggests the city is either constantly over-treating the water or is struggling to maintain a safe balance due to deeper infrastructure failures.

Reports show that the city began piloting the use of nanofiltration membranes in 2020 to better filter drinking water. More recently, in January of this year, the City Council approved $10 million for the first phase of a three-step process to upgrade the City’s ozone system, which is crucial for managing minerals like manganese in the water supply.

While these investments show commitment, the returning chlorine stench suggests the fundamental problem remains unresolved. Is the current, unavoidable smell just proof that major infrastructure work is finally underway, or is it, as Erin Brockovich suggests, a sign that pride and "massive egos" are standing squarely in the way of providing clean, consistently drinkable tap water for the community?