For Immediate Release: Saturday, December 7, 2019 11:57 AM
NEW ORLEANS – While responding to a water main break near South Johnson and Calhoun streets, the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) found a broken valve on Audubon Street. That required us to close more valves to isolate the water supply to the break.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are expanding the existing precautionary boil water advisory to include all properties between South Claiborne Avenue, Hickory Street, South Carrollton Avenue and both sides of Audubon Boulevard. This does not include properties on the west side of South Carrollton at this time.
Tulane University and its stadium are not included in the boil water advisory areas at this time. Customers in other areas of the city are not affected and do not need to boil their water.
We will continue to test water pressure in that vicinity and provide more information as it becomes available.
It is important to note that the boundaries are approximations. If you experience little or no water pressure and live near the impacted zone, please take extra precautions when using your water.
A map of the impacted areas can be viewed here: www.swbno.org/News/BoilWater
As SWBNO responded to the break in a 30-inch water main under South Johnson, crews worked to close valves to shut off water to the damaged section of pipe. While actively monitoring pressure at hydrants in the area, water pressure below the state limit of 20 pounds per square inch (psi) was detected in some locations.
Out of an abundance of caution, SWBNO issued this advisory for the properties closest to the sites of the low water pressure readings.
Residents in the affected area 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, 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.
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 http://ready.nola.gov/plan/boil-water/
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