Press Releases

New Orleans, LA - The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) lifts the voluntary water conservation notice this morning of Friday, September 13 now that the utility's sewer system has adequate pumping capacity. 

"We thank our residents and businesses for heeding the water conservation notice and minimizing the impacts on our sewer system after Hurricane Francine," said SWBNO Executive Director Ghassan Korban. "We recognize the added stress this brought to our service area during an already stressful hurricane. Protecting public health, especially during major weather events, is our mission, so we appreciate your patience as we worked to address the sewer system issue."

During Hurricane Francine, SWBNO, along with other utilities across Southeast Louisiana, issued a voluntary water conservation notice to all customers on Wednesday evening after sewer capacity decreased due to storm impacts. To address the issue, SWBNO deployed vacuum trucks, including a fleet provided in coordination with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security, to remove wastewater from the most impacted pump stations. 

SWBNO contractors also installed temporary pumps, including one provided by the Army Corps of Engineers, at sewer pump station D, which serves Gentilly, Lakeview, St. Roch, and parts of Mid-City.

These combined efforts increased pumping capacity and relieved stress on SWBNO's sewer system. The utility will continue to use temporary pumps at sewer pump station D until a permanent solution is in place.

For media inquiries and availability, please contact media@swbno.org.

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