Parts of Poydras are under a precautionary boil water advisory after emergency repair work forced crews to isolate sections of the local water system, putting everyday tap use on pause for many residents. People living in the affected blocks are being told to boil all tap water for at least one full minute before using it for drinking, cooking, making ice, brushing teeth or washing dishes. The notice specifically covers riverside stretches of East St. Bernard Highway, as well as parts of Saro Lane and Goodwill Drive. Officials say the advisory will stay in place until lab tests confirm the water is safe to drink, as reported by the St. Bernard Parish Government.
According to a post by St. Bernard Parish Government on Facebook, the Poydras Municipal Authority issued the alert, listed the streets under the advisory and urged residents to consider bottled water as an alternative. The parish added that updates will be shared as they become available.
Where the Advisory Applies
The advisory covers East St. Bernard Highway (riverside only) from Theresa Street to Green Avenue, Saro Lane from Goodwill Drive to Massicot Road, and portions of Goodwill Drive in Poydras.
As outlined by St. Bernard Parish Government, precautionary boil water notices are typically issued when water pressure drops in the system. They remain in effect until water samples test negative for total coliform and E. coli, with lab results usually available about 24 hours after sampling.
What Residents Should Do
The Louisiana Department of Health recommends bringing tap water to a rolling boil for one minute before drinking it or using it to prepare food. Bottled water is a safe substitute for those who prefer to avoid the tap entirely while the advisory is in place.
The CDC notes that at elevations above 6,500 feet, water should be boiled for three minutes, and advises against using ice made from tap water or water from refrigerator dispensers during an advisory. People who are immunocompromised, infants and older adults are urged to take extra precautions.
Why This Happened and Local Context
Officials say the Poydras advisory stems from emergency repair work that required isolating part of the local distribution line, which can cause temporary drops in water pressure. Local reporting by WDSU has documented earlier advisories that followed water-main breaks and repair work in St. Bernard Parish, underscoring how pressure loss during fixes is a common trigger for these precautionary measures.
How to Get Updates
For the latest status and any eventual cancellation, residents are encouraged to check the parish St. Bernard Parish Government newsflash page or the Precautionary Boil Water Advisories section of the parish website, and to follow official social channels. The parish has said it will post an all-clear notice once samples come back negative and normal pressure is restored.
