It was good news for Sikes residents when word came through of $2.65 million in grants to improve both their water and sewer systems.

The village has received a $1.7 million grant from the EPA for two water wells to be dug west of Sikes plus another $950,000 in grants ($750,000 from the Louisiana Department of environmental Quality and $200,000 from the Overflow Sewer Grant Program) to improve the sewer system.

“When I was growing up, you couldn’t see the bottom of your bathtub and I figured that was normal,” Mayor Sheryl McDaniel told the Journal.  “But when I was elected mayor four years ago, I set as a goal for Sikes to have clear, safe, drinkable water.”  Unopposed in the most recent election cycle, McDaniel can now see that goal within grasp.

The Sikes water system has been under an Administrative Order from the LDH for poor water quality since 2016.  That order should be lifted once the new wells are completed.

“Our water grade has been an ‘F’ since the state began grading two years ago,” said McDaniel.  “No doubt it would have been an ‘F’ since the 1970s if it were graded back then.  These grants will give the Sikes system the new infrastructure that is way past due and we are so grateful.”

Grants for sewer improvement will bring about brand new infrastructure for that system, including a new lift station and manholes.  Work on those improvements began the first of the month and are expected to be complete by March 2025.