ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY)-Residents of Anse La Butte in St. Martin Parish have been dealing with brown and unclean water for years, and they are now demanding solutions from parish leaders.

St. Martin Parish Council Member Vincent Alexander has acknowledged the long-standing water issues in Anse La Butte. He stated that promises have been made but not fulfilled.

"It's just promises, promises, promises, and it didn't happen, that's why we're here right now, we need to let them know we're not going to just sit there, treat us right," Alexander said.

A grant meant to improve the Anse La Butte's water system in the past was used in Catahoula instead. Parish President Pete Delcambre is working to secure a $2 million state grant to address the problem.

"He showed me some documents, he's going to Baton Rouge right now to try to help us get a grant, if we get a grant, at least it'll help the people here cover everything," said Alexander.

Residents Hilda Victor, Ella Williams, and Alma Zenon reside on Ches Broussard Road in Anse La Butte. They said they relied on a well that produces brown water, causing rust stains in their tubs, sinks, and toilets.

"When it's time to cook, I gotta buy drinking water to cook because I don't trust the well water to cook, and then when I'm taking a shower, I'm itching and this and that," Zenon said.

They said they purchase cleaning products to try remove the stains.

"It's expensive, because I bought one that was ten dollars, to try to get all the rust out, it stays a while and then the rust comes right back again," Williams said.

Alexander urged other parish council members to listen to residents' concerns.

"I'm asking them let's put the water in District 7, right here, we might get one of them on the board, I don't mind serving on the board also, but something needs to be done," Alexander said.

Vincent Alexander mentioned that St. Martin Parish is working with Lafayette Utilities System to extend the water line into the area, which could provide a more reliable water source for residents.

The efforts to secure funding and extend the water line offer hope for residents of Anse La Butte, who have been struggling with water issues for decades. Parish leaders are taking steps to address the community's needs.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KLFY. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat from a broadcast script into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KLFY staff before being published.

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