SWBNO Responds to Corps of Engineers Pump Discovery
For Immediate Release: Monday, March 20, 2023 2:20 PM
On Tuesday, March 14, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), New Orleans District announced that Pump #1 at London Avenue was removed for inspection and corrosion issues were found. The USACE also announced a repair plan to restore the pump to service for hurricane season 2023 and beyond.
The repair of Pump #1 does not risk the station’s ability to perform during a tropical weather event because the London Avenue PCCP, as well as 17th Street, was constructed with additional pumping capacity.
“While the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans’ (SWBNO) pumping and drainage system is separate from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers system, we work with our partners at the Corps, as well as the Levee District's Flood Protection Authority-East, to ensure that our teams and systems work together to reduce flood risks associated with high surge lake levels,” said Ghassan Korban, SWBNO Executive Director. “We trust that the Corps is utilizing every resource available to them to ensure a speedy repair and we know that we need to our coordination efforts to optimize both our abilities to pump rainwater into the lake.
SWBNO’s Drainage Operations Department performs daily, weekly and monthly preventative maintenance tasks on the various components at the drainage pumping stations,” M. Ron Spooner, P.E., Interim General Superintendent of SWBNO. “Every day our Operations Team does what it takes to inspect and repair the critical components of the drainage infrastructure system and remain ready for storm events.”
SWBNO currently has 92 of 99 drainage pumps available for use with 95 of 99 expected to be online in time for 2023 Hurricane Season.
For a full status of SWBNO pumping and power status, visit: https://www.swbno.org/Article/Details/pumping-and-power-equipment-status
For a map and facts about SWBNO’s drainage system, please visit: https://www.swbno.org/Stormwater/Overview
For detailed information from the Corps of Engineers, please visit:
https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/
https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/HSDRRS/PCCP/
Or email askthecorps@usace.army.mil