Large main break triggers boil water advisory for most of Uptown New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) — Most customers in Uptown New Orleans awoke Saturday (June 28) to a boil water advisory issued overnight by the Sewerage & Water Board.

The advisory was issued at 1:06 a.m., due to a 30-inch water main break on Upperline Street that caused water pressure in the area to drop below the 20 pounds per square inch deemed necessary to prevent bacteriological contaminants to enter the supply.

The boil advisory is limited to this area on the east bank of the city, covering most of Uptown:

• South Carrollton Avenue from South Claiborne Avenue to the river
• South Claiborne Avenue from South Carrollton Avenue to Jackson Avenue 
• Jackson Avenue from South Claiborne Avenue to the river

S&WB personnel will begin collecting samples for testing once pressures are restored and conditions are safe to do so. The utility said in a statement Saturday at 1:04 p.m. that crews had “made progress” in isolating the location of the main break, but that the work would continue for an estimated two hours.

Only after the break is isolated and repaired so that pressure again rises above 20 psi in the affected areas will water quality testing begin, and those results typically take around 24 hours, meaning the boil advisory likely will stay in effect until at least late Sunday afternoon.

Customers in other areas of the city are not affected and do not need to boil their water.

According to the S&WB, a 30″ water main break occurred in the 2600 block of Upperline Street Friday around 11 p.m. The utility said crews worked through the night to address the issue.

By approximately 1:45 a.m. Saturday, crews were able to isolate a portion of the affected area. Crews continued working Saturday morning to isolate the impacted line segment and increase the water pressure in the Uptown area. Crews will remain on site until the break is fully isolated and repaired, the S&WB said.

Residents in the affected areas 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.

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.

SWBNO will notify residents when the boil water advisory is canceled. If you have questions, call 52-WATER (504-529-2837).

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