Precautionary Boil Water Advisory Issued For Eastbank Of New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS – The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (S&WB) has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the Eastbank of New Orleans. Residents in the affected area, all of New Orleans between the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, are advised not to drink, make ice, brush teeth, bathe or shower, prepare or rinse food with tap water unless it has been properly disinfected until further notice.

         At 2:55 a.m. this morning, the S&WB Carrollton Water Plant experienced a number of Entergy power surges that resulted in interruptions to the Claiborne and Panola Pumping Stations. Because of these Entergy power surges, water pressure unexpectedly dropped to 20 pounds per square inch (psi) at the S&WB Carrollton Water Plant for a few minutes and may have dropped below 15 psi (pounds per square inch) in areas throughout the Eastbank water system. Fifteen (15) psi is the threshold established by public health officials for issuing a boil water advisory. S&WB officials took immediate action to stabilize water pressure including taking measures to reduce its dependence on Entergy by switching to its internal power production at the S&WB Carrollton Water Plant. By 3:20 a.m., water pressure was stabilized at the S&WB Carrollton Water Plant. This morning, S&WB officials began taking water samples across the Eastbank of New Orleans. Out of an abundance of caution, a precautionary boil water advisory has been issued for the entire Eastbank of New Orleans until further notice.

         S&WB and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) officials have begun testing water samples.

         Customers in other areas of the city are not affected and do not need to boil their water.

         The boil water advisory will remain in effect until further notice for customers in the affected area. S&WB will notify resident when the advisory is lifted. If you have any questions, please call 52WATER (529-2837).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOILING WATER

         Boil water for one full minute in a clean container. The one-minute boil time begins after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (If there is a flat taste, it can be eliminated by shaking the water in a bottle or pouring it from one container to another.)