Press Releases

New Orleans, LA - In consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) has cancelled the boil water advisory for the West Bank of New Orleans except for the area bounded by the Westbank Expressway, General DeGaulle Drive, Behrman Place, and the Orleans-Jefferson parish line.

As a precaution to protect public health, a boil water advisory was issued for West Bank New Orleans when the water main was damaged that resulted in an extended water outage on Saturday, August 8.  Initial samples from two locations in the Memorial Park neighborhood tested positive for E. coli bacteria and continue to test positive for coliform bacteria. E. coli and coliform bacteria indicate that other, potentially harmful, bacteria may be present. SWBNO has been and continues to flush fire hydrants in this area to remove any potential contamination and continues to test water quality. Results from the latest round of samples will be available on Tuesday, August 11. 

While testing has passed for the majority of Westbank New Orleans, some areas remain under boil water advisory and testing is underway. The limited parts that are still under boil water advisory includes:

• Memorial Park Neighborhood

A map of the area currently under a precautionary boil water advisory is here.

Samples have been collected for the areas that remain under the boil water advisory. Water pressures in this area fell below 20 pounds per square inch (psi) due to contractor damage on a water main near General DeGaulle and Indiana St. The water main was damaged by a contractor working in the area who is working for a different agency. SWBNO crews responded immediately to isolate the break. Water pressures has been restored to all residents and businesses. Customers outside of the parameters above are not affected and do not need to boil their water.

Customers who have not used their water supply during this precautionary boil water advisory are advised to flush their internal and external plumbing by running water through their system for several minutes.

Residents in the affected areas (listed above) are advised to use bottled or boiled tap water to drink, cook, clean food or brush teeth until further notice. Residents with compromised immune systems should also use safe water to wash hands, shower or bathe.

SWBNO, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), issues boil water advisories out of an abundance of caution for areas where water pressure drops below 20 psi.

We agree with the recommendations of LDH that it is prudent to issue these advisories out of an abundance of caution. The concern is that a pressure drop inside a water pipe could allow bacteriological contaminants to enter.

Continue to prevent the spread of COVID-19 during a boil water advisory by washing your hands often with boiled or bottled water.

Healthy adults should take the following precautions:

Washing hands: Use soap and tap water, dry hands, then apply hand sanitizer; the safest option is to wash with bottled or boiled water.

Showering or bathing: Be careful not to swallow any water. Infants, young children and disabled persons should be supervised to ensure water is not ingested. Residents with open wounds, chronic illness or weakened immune systems should use boiled or bottled water to bathe until the advisory is lifted.

SWBNO will notify residents when the boil water advisory is canceled. If you have any questions, please call 52-WATER(504-529-2837).

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOILING WATER

Bring water to a rolling boil in a clean container for a full minute. If the water has a flat taste afterward, shake it in a bottle or pour it from one container to another.

Please review general and LDH recommendations for managing a boil water advisory at ready.nola.gov/plan/boil-water.