Shreveport Focus SB/The Inquisitor
August 28, 2026
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VILLAGE OF HOSSTON
PARISH OF CADDO, STATE OF LOUISIANA
ORDINANCE NO. 3 OF 2026
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND REENACTING ORDINANCE NO. 4 OF 2021 REGARDING WATER SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE VILLAGE OF HOSSTON WATER SYSTEM; PROVIDING FOR CROSS-CONNECTION CONTROL AND BACKFLOW PREVENTION; PROHIBITING WATER THEFT, METER TAMPERING, AND DAMAGE TO WATER SYSTEM PROPERTY; PROVIDING FOR
ENFORCEMENT; AND OTHERWISE PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, The Board of Aldermen of the Village of Hosston, Caddo Parish, State of
Louisiana, acknowledges the need for policies governing water service provided by the Village
of Hosston Water System; and
WHEREAS, The Board of Aldermen recognizes the importance of protecting the public water
supply from contamination, unauthorized use, damage, and misuse of Village-owned water
system equipment; and
WHEREAS, The Village of Hosston desires to amend and reenact Ordinance No. 4 of 2021 to
establish updated policies regarding water service, cross-connection control, backflow
prevention, meter tampering, unauthorized water use, inspections, and enforcement procedures;
BE IT ORDAINED by the Board of Aldermen of the Village of Hosston, Caddo Parish, State of
Louisiana:
Section 1: Water Service Address Requirements
All customers requesting a water meter from the Village of Hosston Water System must
first have a valid 911 address assigned to all residential or commercial structures,
including public buildings, churches, and schools.
Section 2: Water Deposits and Connection Fees
A refundable water deposit of $100.00 plus a non-refundable connection fee of $40.00
shall be required for all new residential water meter service.
A refundable water deposit of $200.00 plus a non-refundable connection fee of $50.00
shall be required for all new commercial/business water meter service.
Picture identification shall be required for opening an account and for receiving a deposit
refund when closing an account.
Section 3: New Meter Installation and Hook-Up Fees
If a water meter requires a new installation, an additional non-refundable hook-up fee of
$150.00 shall be required.
Installation of the meter shall be performed only by an authorized Village of Hosston
Water System operator.
The property owner shall be responsible for all bores and initial connections from the
meter to the customer’s property.
Section 4: Responsibility After Meter Registration
The Village of Hosston shall be responsible for the water system only up to the first
connection after water passes through the meter.
Once the meter is properly registering water usage, the customer assumes responsibility
for all water consumed and shall be billed accordingly.
Section 5: Customer Responsibility for Service Lines
The connection from the water meter to the customer’s home, business, or structure shall
be the sole responsibility of the customer or property owner.
Section 6: Transfer of Water Deposits
Transfer of water deposits to another account may be made only with written consent
from the owner(s) of the deposit.
If the transfer is required due to the customer’s death, only the legal next of kin may
assume responsibility for the deposit and account.
Section 7: Individual Meter Requirement
Each residential dwelling, commercial establishment, public building, church, school,
camper, recreational vehicle, or any other structure used for housing shall have its own
individual water meter.
Any person found providing unauthorized water service to another structure or housing
unit shall be subject to immediate disconnection from the Village of Hosston Water
System.
Section 8: Water Meter Tampering Prohibited
Tampering with any water meter, service connection, lock, valve, or any other component
of the Village of Hosston Water System for the purpose of receiving water service
without proper authorization or billing is prohibited.
Any person violating this Section shall be subject to the enforcement provisions of this
Ordinance and any applicable provisions of Louisiana law.
Section 9: Private Wells and Backflow Protection
All residents located within the corporate limits of the Village of Hosston shall be
connected to the Village of Hosston Water System where service is available.
Private water wells may be maintained for potable or non-potable use only when
completely isolated from the Village of Hosston Water System or protected by an
approved backflow prevention assembly in accordance with the requirements of the
Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Sanitary Code, including LAC 51:XII,
and the Louisiana State Plumbing Code, as amended.
Section 10: Cross-Connection and Backflow Prevention
To protect the public drinking water supply from contamination or pollution caused by
backflow or cross-connections, all water services connected to the Village of Hosston
Water System shall comply with the requirements of the Louisiana Department of Health,
the Louisiana Sanitary Code, including LAC 51:XII, and the Louisiana State Plumbing
Code, as amended.
A. No person shall create or maintain any cross-connection between the Village
of Hosston Water System and any source of water or substance that could
contaminate the public water supply.
B. Any property supplied by both the Village of Hosston Water System and a
private water well or other auxiliary water source shall maintain complete
separation between the systems or shall install an approved backflow prevention
assembly as required by the Louisiana Department of Health.
C. Approved backflow prevention assemblies shall be installed, tested,
maintained, repaired, and replaced when necessary at the customer’s expense by
qualified individuals in accordance with Louisiana Department of Health
requirements.
D. The Village of Hosston Water System shall have the authority to inspect any
service connection where a potential cross-connection or backflow hazard exists
and may require installation, testing, repair, replacement, or maintenance of a
backflow prevention assembly as a condition of continued water service.
E. Failure to comply with this Section, refusal to allow inspection when
authorized by law, removal or bypass of a required backflow prevention device, or
operation of an unprotected cross-connection shall constitute grounds for
suspension or discontinuation of water service until corrected and verified by the
Village of Hosston Water System.
F. The Village of Hosston Water System may adopt policies and procedures
necessary to administer and enforce this Section consistent with applicable
Louisiana Department of Health regulations.
Section 11: Emergency Water Service Discontinuation
The Village of Hosston reserves the right to discontinue water service at any time, with or
without advance notice, to make emergency or other necessary repairs.
Section 12: Severe Water Leaks
The Village of Hosston reserves the right to discontinue water service immediately, with
or without prior notice to occupants or owners, if a severe water leak is detected on the
property, including inside a residence or structure.
The Village shall make every reasonable effort to notify the occupant or owner as soon as
possible.
This action is intended to prevent excessive water bills, minimize property damage,
protect the integrity of the water system, conserve treated water, and reduce unnecessary
chemical usage.
Section 13: Ownership and Protection of Water Meters
Water meters, meter boxes, meter lids, meter locks, shut-off valves, radio reading devices,
and all related equipment are the property of the Village of Hosston Water System.
The shut-off valve located at the meter is intended only for use by authorized Village
personnel.
Customers who attempt to operate, damage, or interfere with Village-owned equipment
without authorization shall be responsible for all resulting damages.
Section 14: Customer Responsibility for Meter Box Maintenance
Failure to maintain clear access may result in the Village performing the necessary work
and billing the property owner for the reasonable cost, and may result in interruption of
water service until compliance is achieved.
Any damage to the meter box, meter lid, or related Village-owned equipment caused by
the property owner, tenant, contractor, or person acting on their behalf shall be repaired or
replaced at the property owner’s expense.
No person shall cover, bury, alter the ground around, or place any fence, structure, shrub,
tree, decorative feature, vehicle, or other obstruction that prevents Village personnel from
safely accessing the meter.
The property owner or customer shall be responsible for maintaining the area surrounding
the water meter box. The meter box shall be kept visible, accessible, and free of grass,
weeds, brush, landscaping materials, dirt, debris, standing water, or other obstructions
that interfere with access.
Section 15: Unauthorized Meter Tampering, Theft of Water, and Damage to Village
Property
No person shall tamper with, alter, bypass, remove, relocate, damage, or interfere with
any water meter, meter lock, meter box, service line, shut-off valve, curb stop, radio
reading device, or any other component of the Village of Hosston Water System without
prior authorization from the Village.
Prohibited actions include:
A. Cutting, removing, or damaging a meter lock or locking device.
B. Reconnecting water service after disconnection without authorization.
C. Bypassing, altering, reversing, or interfering with a water meter.
D. Connecting to the Village water system without approval.
E. Damaging or interfering with Village-owned water equipment.
Any person violating this Section shall be responsible for:
1. Payment of all estimated unauthorized water usage.
2. Payment of repair or replacement costs for damaged Village property.
3. Payment of applicable inspection, administrative, investigation, and
restoration fees.
4. Immediate suspension of water service until corrected and all charges are
paid.
5. Referral for criminal prosecution and/or civil action as provided by Louisiana
law.
Each unauthorized act or each day an unauthorized connection remains active may
constitute a separate violation.
Section 16: Customer Requested Suspension of Water Service
Water service may be suspended upon request of the customer provided the meter deposit
remains on file.
During suspension, no charges shall accrue and the meter shall be locked.
Upon restoration of service, a $40.00 reconnection fee shall be added to the customer’s
first billing cycle.
Section 17: Right of Entry
As a condition of receiving water service from the Village of Hosston Water System, the
property owner and customer shall permit authorized employees, agents, contractors, or
representatives of the Village of Hosston, upon presentation of proper identification and
at reasonable times, to enter upon the premises for the purpose of:
A. Reading, inspecting, testing, repairing, replacing, installing, or maintaining
water meters and Village-owned equipment;
B. Inspecting service connections, plumbing, backflow prevention assemblies, or
cross-connections;
C. Investigating suspected water leaks, unauthorized water use, meter tampering,
theft of water, or damage to Village property;
D. Performing emergency repairs or actions necessary to protect public health and
safety.
Refusal to permit reasonable access may result in suspension or discontinuation of water
service until access is granted.
Nothing in this Section authorizes unlawful entry into a residence or protected area
without consent or other legal authority.
Severability
If any provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause, or phrase of this Ordinance is
declared unconstitutional or invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision
shall not affect the remaining provisions of this Ordinance, which shall remain in full
force and effect.
Repealer:
All Ordinances or Resolutions or parts thereof in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby
repealed.
Effective Date:
This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
FIRST READING:
July 21, 2026 – Introduced and read by title and approved as read and set for Public Hearing on
August 18, 2026, with a motion made by Alderman ____, seconded by
Alderman ______.
SECOND READING:
August 18, 2026 – Having been approved on the first reading on July 21, 2026, and after
publication of notice and public hearing, was read by title with a motion to approve as read by
Alderman ______, seconded by Alderman _____.
YEAS: _______
NAYS: ____
ABSENT: ____
ABSTAIN: ____
THUS DONE, ORDAINED, AND ESTABLISHED by the Board of Aldermen of the Village of
Hosston, Caddo Parish, State of Louisiana, at a meeting of said public body duly held and
conducted on August 18, 2026, at the Hosston Village Hall for the Village of Hosston.
Hayden Linn, Town Clerk
Date Delivered to Mayor: August 18, 2026
Date Received by Mayor: August 18, 2026
Approved by the Mayor of the Village of Hosston this 18th day of August 2026.
Kim Jaynes, Mayor
STATE OF LOUISIANA
PARISH OF CADDO
I, the undersigned Town Clerk of the Village of Hosston, Caddo Parish, Louisiana, do hereby
certify the foregoing Ordinance No. 3 of 2026 to be a true and correct copy of the Ordinance as
the same appears filed in this office.
This, the 18th day of August 2026.
Hayden Linn, Town Clerk