The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board has issued a precautionary boil advisory for the entire westbank of Orleans Parish.
"Water pressures in this area fell below 20 pounds per square inch (psi) due to a momentary pump interruption," the utility announce. "As of now, all pumping has been restored to normal."
Residents are advised to use bottled or boiled tap water for drinking, cooking, cleaning food or brushing their teeth until further notice. Residents with compromised immune systems are also advised to use bottled or boiled water for hand washing and bathing.
SWBNO and 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," SWBNO said. "The concern is that a pressure drop inside a water pipe could allow bacteriological contaminants to enter."
The utility will notify residents when the boil advisory is canceled. It usually takes about 24 hours after an incident for tests on water samples to be completed.
