Precautionary Boil Water Advisory Issued for Lower 9th Ward and Part of New Orleans East

The Sewerage & Water Board issued a precautionary boil water advisory for all of the Lower Ninth Ward and the area of New Orleans East from I-10 to Lake Pontchartrain and from Bullard Avenue to Paris Road due to a drop in water pressure. Boil water before consuming. For more information, visit swbno.org.

During a boil water advisory

Don't consume tap water

• Use bottled or boiled water to drink, cook, brush teeth, and mix baby formula.
• Wash fruits and vegetables with bottled or boiled water. 
• Don’t use ice from ice trays or ice makers. Make new ice with bottled or boiled water.
• To be safe, give your pets bottled or boiled water.

Take care cleaning

• Wash countertops and tables with boiled water.
• Use a rinse temperature of 150° F or a sanitize cycle on your dishwasher.
• Wash dishes by hand as usual. Then soak in mixture of 1 gallon of water and 1 teaspoon of bleach for 1 minute. 
• Do laundry as usual.

Be careful bathing

• If you’re a healthy adult, you can bathe or shower with tap water. Be careful not to swallow any water.
• Give babies and young children a sponge bath or use boiled water to bathe.
• If you have open wounds or a weakened immune system, use boiled water to bathe.
• Use hand sanitizer after washing hands.

Boil water safely

1. Heat water until large bubbles come from the bottom to the top of the pot.
2. Let the water boil for at least 1 minute.
3. Turn off the stove and let the water cool.
4. Store the water in a clean container with a cover.
5. Add a pinch of salt and shake to improve the taste.

More resources

• Boil water guide
• Boil water guide for healthcare, restaurants, and daycare facilities
• Louisiana Department of Health’s guide for healthcare facilities