The Sewerage and Water Board, as part of its regulatory obligations to the Environmental Protection Agency, has released its Consumer Confidence Report, also known as the annual Water Quality Report, for 2018.
Although much of historical New Orleans is cause for celebration, the age of her water pipes is not. To give residents a better understanding of the extent of the water system’s age, the Sewerage and Water Board (SWBNO) has published an interactive map of the distribution system. Search for your address to see the approximate age of the water mains that run beneath your street.
SWBNO will receive $50 million in immediate funds, which will alleviate the strain on our drainage operating budget by covering debt repayment and priority projects as we head into hurricane season. Recurring funds, in the amount of approximately $26 million annually, will close significant gaps in our capital needs and move us toward modernization of our drainage system. We aim to increase our level of service to our customers, and this revenue is a significant tool for keeping us on that course.
Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) clarified to its board members and the public what it hopes to collect in unpaid bills for water and sewer service. A three-week internal inquiry showed that customers owe approximately $73.4 million in past due charges as of Dec. 31, 2018. Approximately $50 million of that is considered delinquent, or due for longer than 60 days. This figure has grown since 2016 as SWBNO endured more than two years of hardship and emergencies. A new billing system, inaccurate bills, a moratorium on shutoffs and emergency spending in the wake of the August 2017 flood event all contributed to a less than stable budget.
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) announced an action plan to expedite its transition away from self-generated steam power, and bring the Carrollton Water Plant and its operations up to modern standards. The multi-tiered plan will increase efficiency, provide significant annual cost-savings, and provide another layer of protection to the City’s drinking water.
