The mission of the Department of Environmental Quality is to provide service to the people of Louisiana through comprehensive environmental protection in order to promote and protect health, safety and welfare while considering sound policies that are consistent with statutory mandates. The department is divided into the following offices:

In 1998, members of the Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA) created the Scholarship Fund in honor of Mr. Willis Fournet.  This award of $2,000 will be made to a student to defray the cost of tuition, books, or room and board at an accredited institution of higher learning approved by the Louisiana Rural Water Association (LRWA). Applicants must be a citizen or legal resident of the United States, a resident of the State of Louisiana, and reside on a water and/or wastewater system that is a member of LRWA.

Brief background of Mr. Willis Fournet

He was born and raised in Kinder, LA.  He was a graduate of McNeese State University and went on to become an educator & coach.  After retiring in 1981 as an elementary school principal, he became the director of the Louisiana Rural Water Association.  He was very instrumental in guiding LRWA to its present state.  He continued his educational background by assisting and training water and wastewater operators across the state.  Mr. Fournet retired from LRWA in December 1993 and passed away in December 1994.

We encourage you, our utility members, to contact your local high school counselors and inform your customers that this scholarship is available for students.

Previous scholarship applicants and winners may apply.

If you need additional information, please call the LRWA at (800) 256-2591 or (337) 738-2896.

TYPED applications are due by March 7, 2025.

LaWARN (Louisiana Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network): Following the impacts of Hurricane Katrina and then Hurricane Rita, it became apparent that even with the extraordinary efforts of utilities, water associations, and state regulatory agencies, the demand for resources and knowing where those resources were available overwhelmed the ability to effectively coordinate the initial response. Realizing that utilities needed a different approach, leaders in the water community and state agencies have joined together to create the Louisiana Water/Wastewater Agency Response Network or LaWARN. Our mission is to support and promote statewide emergency preparedness, disaster response, and mutual assistance matters for public and private water and wastewater utilities. The LaWARN program provides its member utilities with a LaWARN Mutual Assistance Agreement (complete & return to LRWA)

• A standard omnibus mutual assistance agreement and process for sharing emergency resources among members statewide.
• A mutual assistance program consistent with other statewide mutual aid programs.
• The resources to respond and recover more quickly from a disaster.
• A forum for developing and maintaining emergency contacts and relationships.
• New ideas from lessons learned in disasters.
• The Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association and the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, with the support of the LA State Police, have adopted a Joint SO (JSOP) for Coordinated Statewide Reentry, and that the ER-ITN data system has been adopted to implement the JSOP. The JSOP, and the ER-ITN that implements it, are intended to help solve reentry problems after a natural disaster. Visit the LA State Police and LA Sheriff’s Association websites for more information regarding the Joint SOP (JSOP).
  • LA State Police: www.lsp.org
• • LA Sheriff’s Association: www.lsa.org
• LaWARN Brochure
• LaWARN Application (complete and return to LRWA)
• NRWA & LRWA Emergency Response Template (MS Word format)
• EPA Emergency Response Plan Guidance (PDF format)