Water started spewing from a big busted pipe early this morning at Claiborne and Louisiana, dropping water pressure in the area and flooding the intersection.
"The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has issued a precautionary boil water advisory (BWA) for a large portion of Uptown New Orleans," the SWBNO released.
The area impacted includes:
Carrollton Ave from I-10 (Pontchartrain Expressway) to Mississippi River
I-10 (Pontchartrain Expressway) from Carrollton Ave to Mississippi River
Mississippi River from Carrollton Ave to Pontchartrain Expressway
"Water pressures in this area fell below 20 pounds per square inch (psi) due to a break on the 30-in water main near S Claiborne Ave and Toledano St. Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans crews are en route and working to isolate the break. SWBNO will notify residents when testing has begun."
Authorities say residents and businesses 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."
The utility says they have to make sure the water is not contaminated.
"The concern is that a pressure drop inside a water pipe could allow bacteriological contaminants to enter."
Here is more information from the Sewerage and Water Board...
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 504-52-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 ready.nola.gov/plan/boil-water.