Press Releases

Out of an abundance of caution, Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is expanding the area included in the precautionary boil water advisory to include the following areas. We believe that pressures in these areas dropped below 20psi earlier this morning at the same time that the CBD was impacted. This new information is from the smart meters in these areas, which was not data that was immediately available to us at the time.

We recognize the impact to customers in businesses in the area but are making the decision to be the most protective of public health. Samples from these areas will be collected this afternoon, with results to be expected by end of day on Tuesday.

Area 1:

• N Rampart Ave from Canal to Esplanade
• Esplanade from N Claiborne to the Mississippi River
• Mississippi River from Esplanade to Canal St
• Canal from Mississippi River to N. Rampart

Area 2:

• Eagle Street from the Mississippi River to Spruce St
• Spruce St from Eagle Street to Carrollton Ave
• Carrollton Ave from Spruce Street to the Mississippi River
• Mississippi River from Carrollton to Eagle St

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

Residents in the affected areas 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 504-52-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.