NEW ORLEANS – While responding to a water main break near South Johnson and Calhoun streets by closing valves, the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) detected low water pressure. Therefore, this utility has issued a precautionary boil water advisory for several blocks Uptown out of an abundance of caution.

The boundaries of the impacted areas are as follows:

Properties along Calhoun and Palmer Avenue between South Claiborne Avenue and Story Street, including the dead-end blocks of South Johnson, South Prieur and Barret Street.

Properties between South Claiborne, Audubon Boulevard, Hickory and Lowerline streets.

Tulane University and its stadium are not included in the boil water advisory areas at this time. Customers in other areas of the city are not affected and do not need to boil their water.

A map of the impacted areas can be viewed here: www.swbno.org/News/BoilWater

As SWBNO responded to the break in a 30-inch water main under South Johnson, crews worked to close valves to shut off water to the damaged section of pipe. While actively monitoring pressure at hydrants in the area, water pressure below the state limit of 20 pounds per square inch (psi) was detected in some locations.

Out of an abundance of caution, SWBNO issued this advisory for the properties closest to the sites of the low water pressure readings.

This is an evolving situation, and we will continue to monitor pressure in the area. We will deliver updates as new information becomes available.

Residents in the affected area 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, 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.

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 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 http://ready.nola.gov/plan/boil-water/