A foul mess is spilling into the Industrial Canal near New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward.
New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board Interim General Superintendent Kaitlyn Tymrak says they believe a vessel hit a 54-inch pressurized sewer main.
Divers have been in the water assessing the break to help determine the best way to make repairs.
"I think this is a new one in a while," Tymrak told WWL-TV. "We have experienced other sewer force main breaks, but one in the canal is something that we haven't seen in a while."
Tymrak said they are advising people not to fish or engage in other recreational activity in the area.
Raw sewage began spewing from the four-and-a-half-foot wide pipe around seven Saturday night.
New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno issued the following statement:
"I was informed about the sewer line damage this afternoon by SWBNO Director Randy Hayman. Deputy CAO of Infrastructure Steve Nelson immediately offered city assistance and has been in constant communication with SWBNO General Manager Kaitlyn Tymrak. We are also assisting in tracking and determining the cause of the incident and who is responsible."
