Boil Water Updates for Orleans and Jefferson Parishes

boil water advisory for west bank of orleans parish lifted
1/25/18

​UPDATE: Boil Water Advisory Lifted for West Bank of Orleans Parish.

​This afternoon, the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the West Bank of Orleans Parish. The S&WB reported that a sudden drop in water pressure was observed at approximately 1:40 p.m. The east bank of Orleans Parish is not affected by this.
 
The advisory is in effect until further notice. During previous boil water advisory periods, the S&WB collected water samples and usually, test results will take at least 24 hours once all samples are collected. We will update you as soon as we get more information.
 
Residents are advised not to drink, make ice, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water until it has been properly disinfected.
 
The S&WB recommends that residents boil water for at least one minute before use.
 
The Louisiana Dept. of Health has issued guidelines for restaurants to utilize. Click the links below to download.
 
Retail Food Guidelines Under Boil Advisory
Boil Advisory Minimum Standards
Boil Advisory Guidelines for Food Service Operations
 
Tips for Restaurants
Tips for restaurants while under a boil advisory (per La. Dept. of Health & Hospitals): 
 
·        Bottled water can be used for food prep, cooking, washing/rinsing/sanitizing of utensils and food contact surfaces, as well as for hand washing.
·         Single service utensils (paper/plastic plates, forks, spoons, knives) can be used.
·         In bathrooms, provide bottled water or potable water for washing hands.
·         Notify your customers of the boil advisory and explain precautions and safety practices.
·         Ice machines must be disabled.
 
Do not use fountain drink dispensers that use water as a component of the drink mix. (If possible, offer canned or bottled soft drinks.)

---

Boil Water Advisory For East Bank of Jefferson Parish Lifted
1/20/2018

** 1 p.m. **
​The Jefferson Parish Water Department, in conjunction with the Louisiana Department of Health, has lifted the boil water advisory  for residents and businesses on the East Bank of Jefferson Parish.  

---

Boil Water Advisory for East Bank of Orleans Parish Lifted, Except N.O. East
1/19/2018 

** 7:25 p.m. **
The New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board and the Louisiana Dept. of Health have LIFTED the Boil Water Advisory for the East Bank of Orleans Parish, with the exception of New Orleans East. Water is safe to consume. 

---

UPdate: East Bank Jefferson Parish Boil Advisory/Low Pressure
1/18/2018

The Louisiana Dept. of Health and its engineering/drinking water program management, has advised us at the LRA that Jefferson Parish pressure has not been restored to the required level for testing as of 5 p.m. on Thursday. Once the pressure has been restored, testing will occur immediately. As is the case with water testing, it takes a minimum of 24 hours for testing to be completed. Therefore, we anticipate the water boil advisory cannot be lifted until at least Saturday.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Wendy Waren at wwaren@lra.org or call (504) 454-2277. 

---

Thursday PM Update Re: Orleans Parish Water Pressure & Boil Water Advisory 
1/18/2018

LRA President & CEO Stan Harris and hospitality industry leaders participated in a conference call with the management of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board today to discuss the current boil water advisory on the East Bank of the Mississippi and the low water pressure. Please allow us to express the challenges:

• The water pressure issues were exacerbated by the customers usage (including running faucets) and the use from large commercial connections during this freeze event. The plant is producing at the pressure level expected but due to frozen pipes the capacity in the field is approximately 40 percent lower than what is normal.
• As the outside temperature rises, the SWB will assess the condition of their field pressure levels and are projecting, this may occur within the next 8 to 10 hours. Once the pressure returns to normal levels, only then can they capture water samples necessary to begin the incubation period (24 hours) for testing. At the end of the incubation period, if no contamination is found, the boil water advisory should be lifted.

This is a great deal of speculation but it is all we have to consider when operating. Having operable restrooms is critical. Having water for cooking, handwashing and sanitation is a must. Sourcing ice from outside the boil water advisory affected area is required. Using bottled water, soft drinks and mixers is an added burden and cost.

In a best case scenario if the pressure returns to normal by midnight and the water sampling is completed a few hours later, it could be Saturday morning in a best case scenario before the boil water advisory is lifted. 

In the meantime, Sewerage and Water Board officials have asked that if you have experienced breaks in your water lines on the private side of the system to please report them immediately. Report a leak here or call (504) 529-2837. 

If you have any questions, please email Wendy Waren at wwaren@lra.org or call (504) 454-2277.

---

Louisiana Dept. of Health Lists Guidelines for Food Service Facilities Under Boil Advisory 
1/18/2018

On Thursday morning, the East Bank of Jefferson Parish and Orleans Parish are under boil advisories until further notice. During this time food service establishments should implement procedures given this situation. Below are documents provided by the Louisiana Department of Health to aid restaurants in safely preparing and serving guests during this time. Previous advisories have lasted for at least 24 hours and we encourage you to stayed tuned to your local news for immediate notification. ​
​

Retail Food Guidelines Under Boil Advisory

Boil Advisory Minimum Standards

Boil Advisory Guidelines for Food Service Operations

---

Jefferson Parish (East Bank) Now Under Boil Water Advisory 
1/18/2018

This morning, the Jefferson Parish Water Department issued a boil water advisory for the East Bank of Jefferson Parish. This precautionary measure is being taken because of the loss of pressure in the distribution system due to the extremely high number of water line breaks caused by the hard freeze.

The advisory is in effect until further notice. Parish officials report that pressure will be restored as soon as possible. The entire process of restoration will take at least 2-3 days.

Residents are advised not to drink, make ice, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water until it has been properly disinfected. Residents should boil water for at least one minute before use.

Tips for Restaurants
Tips for restaurants while under a boil advisory (per La. Dept. of Health & Hospitals): 

• Bottled water can be used for food prep, cooking, washing/rinsing/sanitizing of utensils and food contact surfaces, as well as for hand washing.
• Single service utensils (paper/plastic plates, forks, spoons, knives) can be used.
• In bathrooms, provide bottled water or potable water for washing hands.
• Notify your customers of the boil advisory and explain precautions and safety practices.
• Ice machines must be disabled.

Do not use fountain drink dispensers that use water as a component of the drink mix. (If possible, offer canned or bottled soft drinks.)

---

Boil Water Advisory In Effect For East Bank of Orleans Parish 
1/18/2018

This morning, the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the East Bank of Orleans Parish. The S&WB reported that water pressure had dropped below the safety threshold at Drainage Pump Stations No. 3 and No. 5 on the east bank. The city's water distribution system is strained from this week's inclement winter weather. The S&WB is urging residents to reduce water usage wherever possible.

The advisory is in effect until further notice. During previous boil water advisory periods, the S&WB collected water samples and usually, test results will take at least 24 hours once all samples are collected. We will update you as soon as we get more information.

Residents are advised not to drink, make ice, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water until it has been properly disinfected.
 
The S&WB recommends that residents boil water for at least one minute before use.

Tips for Restaurants
Tips for restaurants while under a boil advisory (per La. Dept. of Health & Hospitals): 

• Bottled water can be used for food prep, cooking, washing/rinsing/sanitizing of utensils and food contact surfaces, as well as for hand washing.
• Single service utensils (paper/plastic plates, forks, spoons, knives) can be used.
• In bathrooms, provide bottled water or potable water for washing hands.
• Notify your customers of the boil advisory and explain precautions and safety practices.
• Ice machines must be disabled.

​Do not use fountain drink dispensers that use water as a component of the drink mix. (If possible, offer canned or bottled soft drinks.)