Press Releases

New Orleans, LA - Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), has canceled the precautionary boil water advisory as bacteriological tests confirmed that water in the area was safe to drink and could be used for personal needs. The advisory was in effect for the Lower 9th Ward and surrounding neighborhoods which included:

• Florida Avenue from Inner Harbor Navigation Canal to the parish line 
• Parish line from Florida Avenue to the Mississippi River
• The Mississippi River from the parish line to the Inner Harbor Navigation Canal 
• Inner Harbor Navigation Canal from the Mississippi River to Florida Avenue

Water pressures in this area fell below 20 pounds per square inch (psi) while crews performed a test closure to assess repairs to a 48-inch water main on Florida Ave. Repairs will still need to be made at a later date after additional water valve repairs are completed to get a better water closure.

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.

Water samples from across the area have tested negative for contamination. SWBNO is committed to providing safe drinking water, and this precautionary boil water advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution to ensure the public’s safety. We also commend the fast and professional work of our employees from several departments and the excellent cooperation of LDH officials during this event.

Boil water advisories are issued out of an abundance whenever the water pressure drops below 20 psi. We agree with the recommendations of our regulatory partner, LDH, that it is prudent to issue these advisories.  

We thank the impacted residents and businesses for their patience and apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

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