Parts of Belle Chasse are under a boil water advisory after a contractor damaged a major water line Friday, leaving neighbors with low pressure and a lot of questions about how long this will drag on.
The precaution covers the stretch from the Chevron Oronite south gate to River Oaks Drive, where crews shut nearby valves to keep the leak contained. Residents in the affected zone have been warned to expect lower-than-normal water pressure while the repair work plays out.
According to Plaquemines Parish, Inframark issued the advisory after crews found a leak on a 16-inch water main that a contractor damaged and then closed valves to isolate the break. The notice states the advisory is in effect "until further notice" while crews fix the line and test the system. Residents with questions can call Inframark’s local contact line at 504-392-4177.
What residents should do
Per CDC guidance, bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute, or three minutes at elevations above 6,500 feet, before using it for drinking, cooking, or making ice. Bottled water should be used for infants, people with weakened immune systems, and for preparing infant formula, and water or ice from refrigerator dispensers should be avoided unless the system has been properly flushed and disinfected.
Dishwashers that have a sanitizing cycle are generally considered safe to use. If you are washing dishes by hand, the CDC recommends washing and rinsing in hot soapy water and then sanitizing them by soaking in a bleach solution or using previously boiled water for a final rinse. Residents are also advised to avoid swallowing water while showering and to follow any additional local instructions that apply to food-service or childcare operations.
Recurring local impacts
As reported by WDSU, a contractor-caused puncture set off a lengthy boil water advisory in 2024, and neighbors at times depended on donated bottled water while crews worked to restore normal service. Residents and local leaders have repeatedly voiced frustration over intermittent outages and what they describe as slow timelines for testing and repairs after similar breaks near Highway 23.
Restoration timeline and contacts
Plaquemines Parish says repairs are underway, but the initial notice did not offer an estimated completion time. The boil water advisory will stay in place until testing confirms the water system is safe, in line with the parish alert.
The parish is also posting updates to its Facebook page for those refreshing their feeds for news: Plaquemines Parish on Facebook. Inframark, the parish’s water operator, is listed as the point of contact for customers at 504-392-4177 and maintains notices for the parish on its website: Inframark.
Contractor responsibility and oversight
Local reporting has previously tied contractor work to extended outages in the Belle Chasse area, and those episodes have triggered questions about permitting and coordination with utility crews, according to WDSU. Any formal investigation into the current damage, along with any attempt at cost recovery, would fall to parish officials, who did not provide additional details in the latest advisory.
