NEW ORLEANS, LA – Today, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), in collaboration with BlueConduit, launched the city’s first ever water service line material inventory alongside utilities across the country in compliance with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule Revisions.

“We are proud to lead the effort in removing lead service lines throughout our city, and this inventory is a crucial first step,” said Ghassan Korban, SWBNO Executive Director. “Our customers and visitors deserve a lead-free water system, and we are pulling together all the resources possible to get us there.”

Viewing the Inventory

The inventory is available as a searchable map at swbno.org/Projects/LeadAwareness. 

Customers can search the inventory for their service address to check if their public and private water service lines are lead, non-lead, galvanized requiring replacement, or unknown. The inventory includes two types of data:

Verified service line materials: SWBNO has record of the water service line material.

Unknown service line materials: SWBNO does not have record of the water service line material. The utility used predictive modeling to make educated assumptions where it could, based on available data.

The predictive model SWBNO used, which was approved by the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), is based on existing plumbing records, lead test kit results, meter install date, parcel data, and census data. The inventory currently identifies roughly 15,000 customers with lead pipes that will require replacements. Approximately 119,000 customers have unknown pipe materials. SWBNO will continue to update these figures as the utility gathers more information and performs inspections.

Inventory Notifications

In the coming weeks, SWBNO will send notifications by mail to customers with lead, galvanized steel, or unknown service lines. The utility will also launch a focused inspection effort to begin verifying unknown water service line materials, starting with a contract that includes 300 service line inspections at schools and 800 public lead service lines replacements. This effort—which the utility anticipates will begin in November—will put SWBNO on track to start lead service line replacements before the 2027 compliance start date established by the EPA’s final Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) issued on October 8.

Managing and Funding Replacements

Later this year, SWBNO will begin the search for a contractor to manage its long-term lead service line replacement program. Once the necessary planning phases are complete, the utility plans to start lead service line replacements in late 2025. The LCRI requires replacements to begin in 2027 and establishes a 10-year deadline.

SWBNO has already secured $86M in State Revolving Funds (SRF) for these efforts and is applying for additional SRF funding. SWBNO is proudly the first utility in the state to secure SRF funds for replacements. The utility is also exploring funding opportunities now available through the LCRI.

“NOHD recognizes the urgent need to investigate and remediate lead pipes in our community,” said Dr. Jennifer Avegno, New Orleans Health Department Director. “The Sewerage and Water Board's inventory will help residents understand their exposure, and the $86M award is a crucial first step to begin the process of citywide remediation.  We look forward to supporting these efforts and working with federal, state, and nonprofit partners to create a healthier community."

Many older cities like New Orleans have lead service lines within their drinking water system since lead was a commonly used plumbing material before its use was banned in the industry in 1986. There is no detectable lead in the water that leaves SWBNO’s treatment plants. However, lead can enter drinking water through lead service lines and fixtures in plumbing.

“As a drinking water utility that prioritizes public health, SWBNO recognizes the risk lead poses to our customers,” said Korban. “That’s why we’ve been taking measures to protect our customers for years, including effective corrosion control as well as ongoing water testing across the system.”

Addressing Lead as a Community Issue

Community members can also take extra precautions by following these tips from the EPA:

Use only cold water for drinking, cooking, and making baby formula.

Flush the pipes. When water hasn’t been used for six hours or longer, run the faucet for three to five minutes to flush the lines before drinking or cooking with the water. Household tasks like showering or running the dishwasher can also help flush the system.

Request a water test kit by contacting SWBNO’s Lab at (504) 865-0420 or click here to use our online request form.

Request to pick up a water pitcher that filters for lead by calling 52-WATER or click here to use our online request form.

Use a filter that meets NSF Standard 53 as a recommended practice to help protect you and your family.

If you have a lead service line on your property, replace it. SWBNO can coordinate to replace the public side of the lead line at the same time. Email LSLR@swbno.org to learn more.

Review the latest SWBNO Consumer Confidence Report for more ideas and for SWBNO’s most recent water quality test results.

SWBNO recognizes the public health concern regarding lead and the research showing the serious health effects for all age groups. Learn more about these effects from the EPA.

To learn more about SWBNO’s efforts to protect public health against lead exposure, visit swbno.org/Projects/LeadAwareness.

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