PORT BARRE, La (KLFY)-- In St. Landry Parish, some people in Port Barre are not happy with the price of their water bills.

The increase in the cost of water has residents wondering why. Concern about the increase has Port Barre residents wondering if they'll be able to afford paying their water bills.

Danny Sonnier said since he's retired, the increase in his water bill is something he thinks about often.

"I only bring 14 higher are might retire and it takes everything I have. In the past 6 to 8 months my water bill went from $45 to $50. It's over $100 every month now." Sonnier said when it comes to his water usage, everything is the same except the price he pays. because of this, it's a concern of his and he wants to know why the increase.

News 10 spoke with Port Barre Mayor Johnny Ardoin who said water prices went up because he applied for two grants: one with the Water Sector Program and one with the Delta Workforce Grant Program to receive $3.2 million to build a new water plant. Ardoin said one of the requirements to receive the grant was to increase the price in order to maintain the water rate.

Another resident, Logan Fusilier, said he's been living in Port Barre for the past three years.

"When I first moved to Port Barre the water, the price of the water was around $22 a month," Fusilier said.

Fusilier said he does not see why the town needs a new water plant if the Port Barre has a Source Water Assessment Plan rating of medium.

"I don't really see the justification of building a new water plant, to be honest with y'all, because you're taking $30 to $20 whenever you're already at a great every day, you're trying to make a better, greater money. That money could be used somewhere else," Fusilier said.

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