A routine maintenance job at New Orleans’ Algiers water plant turned into a weekend headache for the West Bank on Saturday, as the entire area was placed under a precautionary boil-water advisory after pressure in the system briefly dropped below the safety threshold. The Sewerage and Water Board said crews have since restored normal water pressure, but the advisory will stay in effect while test samples are collected and cleared. Until then, residents are being told to stick with boiled or bottled water for drinking, cooking and preparing baby formula.
The utility reported the disruption at 7:02 a.m., explaining that work on a water tower at the Algiers facility caused system pressure to fall below 20 pounds per square inch, the level regulators use to decide when a boil order is needed, according to Fox 8. The station reported that there was no water main break and that pressure has now returned to normal.
The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans said the advisory will remain in place until water samples are tested and cleared in coordination with the Louisiana Department of Health, a process that typically takes at least 24 hours. Customers with questions can call 504-52-WATER (504-529-2837) or follow updates on the board’s website.
What residents should do
Until officials give the all-clear, residents are advised to use bottled water or bring tap water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before drinking or cooking, and to avoid using ice from trays filled with tap water. Healthy adults can shower, but should not swallow the water. Infants, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are advised to use boiled or bottled water for bathing as well, according to NOLA Ready. After the advisory ends, officials recommend running cold-water faucets and flushing ice makers to clear household plumbing.
Local context
Boil-water advisories are a familiar, if frustrating, part of life in New Orleans whenever water pressure drops. The utility has issued similar precautionary notices in recent years when pump issues or maintenance temporarily lowered system pressure. Coverage of a prior West Bank boil notice details one such earlier incident and explains how advisories remain in place until health officials clear test results.
Officials say they will post updates as lab results come in and will alert residents when it is safe to go back to normal tap-water use. Until then, West Bank neighbors are stuck waiting on the all-clear, with the Sewerage & Water Board’s news page and customer line at 504-52-WATER serving as the main sources for updates.
