In August of this year, the Department of Water & Sewerage began locking water meters with a locking tab to provide security to water meters and water system in Shreveport. As of September there have been approximately 3000 locking tabs installed on meters that had work orders to discontinue water service due to non-payment. The Department has seen a significant increase in past due payments since they began placing the tabs on the meters.

The locking tabs are numbered and tamper proof meaning they have to be broken to be removed. They are installed to lock the meter to prevent tampering. Each tab has a number which will be recorded on the work order for tracking purposes.

Removing the lock or tampering with the water meter is unlawful and could result in fines and/or criminal charges.

Previously when a meter had the locking tab installed a door hanger was left at the residence with information regarding the water being shut off and a phone number to contact to have service restored. This process is being streamlined and we will no longer place a door hanger at the residence when the water is shut off.