Water Distribution System Immediate Action Report

Water Distribution System Immediate Action Report

Water Distribution System

SWBNO has recently experienced an influx of breaks in our drinking water transmission mains. These incidents have resulted in broad precautionary boil water advisories, extensive repair costs, customer claims, and economic impacts. We understand the frustration and inconvenience this places on our customers, and we are working with urgency to stabilize the system.

The Path Forward

We have developed a near-term approach to address these challenges as quickly as possible. Our teams have also outlined next steps to develop a more comprehensive long-term plan.

Step 1: Address urgent risk transmission mains

The immediate goal is to address transmission mains that SWBNO classifies as urgent risk profile as quickly as possible. Urgent risk projects are considered "mission critical" for stabilizing the drinking water distribution system and avoiding additional major service disruptions. These projects include:

• A list of eight urgent transmission main repairs
• Repair projects will likely take several months to complete, based on the project sequencing required.

• Four remaining JIRR transmission main replacements, which have already been designed and planned as part of the JIRR program, but are unfunded.
  • Transmission Main 001 (6th St.)
  • Transmission Main 007 (Magnolia, Joseph, and Willow St.)
  • Transmission Main 008 (Cohn St.)
  • Transmission Main 009 (Spruce St. and Various Locations)
• Require additional funding ($27.5M) in order to put them out to bid and begin work.
• SWBNO requested $10M in earmarked funds in March 2026; Deficit of $17.5M remains.

Step 2: Conduct pilot test

Concurrently, SWBNO will conduct a pilot test to assess the condition of some of the oldest mains in the system near the Carrollton Water Treatment Plant, which will offer insight into the remaining 33.8 miles of main that are 100+ years old.

• Pilot test can be initiated within two months, utilizing in-line technology, with approval for use of IAB funds. An initial funding ask of $1M is estimated to inspect about half of the 33.8 miles of oldest main, using free-swimming acoustic tools.
• Additional, existing acoustic leak detection contracts will be utilized to review the remaining sections of water mains that recently experienced major breaks.

Step 3: Issue RFI for emerging technologies

The utility will also quickly issue an RFI to gather information on emerging technologies that could be used in further condition assessments as well as pipeline rehabilitation.

• SWBNO plans to advertise the RFI by the end of April 2026.
• SWBNO aims to review results and develop list of preferred, viable technology options within three months of submission receipt.

Step 4: Develop near- and medium-term priorities

Based on the data captured through Steps 2-3, SWBNO will develop a list of near-term priorities for design and implementation.

• SWBNO will develop a first draft of projects and preliminary cost estimates in Q4 2026.
  • Full replacement of 33.8 miles of older TM's could be up to $680M. A smaller subset of initial investment will be identified to prioritize any funds that may be available
• RFP(s) for priority replacements design will be advertised for work to begin in early 2027.
• Expansion of condition assessment can be done when additional funding is available

Step 5: Hydraulic model for targeted area

The utility will also develop an updated hydraulic model for a targeted area in New Orleans East, which will eventually inform a citywide hydraulic model as part of a future system-wide conditions assessment—SWBNO's ultimate goal.

• Proposals are currently under review, and selection is anticipated in March 2026.

Step 6: Citywide Condition Assessment

Once a citywide conditions assessment is completed, SWBNO aims to implement an ongoing water main replacement program that will allow the utility to replace 60% of water mains in the next 20-30 years, to catch up on previous years without major investment. This will exceed the typical industry standard of a 1-2% replacement rate yearly, but SWBNO believes this to be necessary due to the condition of the system and consequences of failure.

• SWBNO aims to advertise an RFP in Q1 2027 for work to start by the end of 2027.

Our Progress

We will update this section regularly based on our progress in implementing the steps outlined above and in our Immediate Action Plan.

Last Updated: March 16, 2026

Joint Infrastructure Recovery Roads Projects (JIRR)

• Nearly 90 miles of our aging water mains replaced to date under JIRR
• 25.5 miles currently under construction
  • Decatur & St. Peter Transmission Main Project (TM010); Anticipated Completion: Late Spring 2026
• Total JIRR work completed and underway (115 miles) = only 7% of the distribution system.

*TM002 not shown in map – TM002 is located at St. Bernard Ave. near the Seventh Ward.

About the Drinking Water System

SWBNO's drinking water infrastructure is equally as historic as the city it serves. The utility was formed in 1899 and has since grown to include roughly 1,600 miles of drinking water mains. The water mains carry treated drinking water from our drinking water treatment plants to your property.

Water Mains
1,610 miles
(34% > 100 years old)

The drinking water distribution system contains water lines ranging in size from 4" to 54".

• Transmission Mains (TMs) = water lines 20+ inches
• Distribution Mains = water lines less than 20 inches

TMs convey large amounts of drinking water over longer distances. Smaller distribution mains carry water from TMs to even smaller service lines that deliver water to individual properties. The structure is similar to that of the Mississippi River (TMs) and the streams that carry water from the river (distribution mains).

While we recognize that any leak is disruptive to residents and customers, breaks in larger TMs have the potential to be more disruptive on a broader scale than a smaller line. This could include precautionary boil water advisories and localized flooding. Recent water main breaks were on 30" and 48" transmission mains.

Age of Mains

More than one-third of SWBNO's drinking water mains are over 100 years old, putting them well beyond their useful life. The life span of a water main varies based on its material, the soil content, and the conditions under which it's used (freezing temps, subsidence, etc.). In New Orleans, it is critical to replace water mains that are over 100 years old.

The map below shows the location of water transmission lines for the majority of the Eastbank of Orleans Parish, and part of the Westbank. As shown, a higher concentration of main is located near the Carrollton Water Plant, which was first constructed in the early 1900's. These are the oldest mains that served the original parts of the city, with water mains being added as the City expanded.

Looped System & Its Unique Challenges

New Orleans' drinking water system is designed in a continuous loop, meaning water constantly moves through connected pipes. Modern water utilities are structured into zones, making it easier to isolate issues to smaller, more targeted areas. Our looped system presents unique operational challenges, especially when addressing water main leaks and breaks.

To isolate a water main break, SWBNO must often close valves across a wider area and reroute water from TMs into our smaller distribution mains. This necessary redistribution can temporarily reduce system pressure. In some cases, to prevent pressure from falling to levels that could impact public health, we must pause work in other parts of the system—including ongoing main repairs—until stable pressure is restored.

Water Leak Work Orders

The sheer volume of repairs needed regularly throughout our system creates a major task for our crews. Yet, on average, SWBNO's internal crews can complete water line leak repairs within 31 days. Our leadership is grateful to the men and women of the Sewerage and Water Board that work 24/7, 365 to address these issues and keep our aging system functioning for our community.

Work Order Data from March 2025 – March 2026

Last Updated: March 2026

We recognize some work orders are aging beyond the average timeline mentioned above, and we are working to add more operators and skilled workers, as well as equipment resources (dump trucks, backhoes, and utility trucks) to our team to improve average repair times.

We are also in the process of procuring and implementing a new, modern asset management system, which will allow us to better track the status of our water distribution assets, improve proactive planning, and better respond to these types of requests for information.