TL;DR: The entire West Bank of New Orleans was under a precautionary boil water advisory on August 8, 2026, after contractor damage near General DeGaulle and Indiana St dropped pressure below 20 psi.

What happened on August 8

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health, issued a precautionary boil water advisory for the West Bank of New Orleans in a release timed Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 1:45 AM, according to Press Releases - Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans. The advisory listed the entire West Bank of New Orleans as included. Water pressures in the area fell below 20 pounds per square inch due to contractor damage on a water main near General DeGaulle and Indiana St. SWBNO crews were working to isolate the break to restore water pressure. Residents were experiencing lower-than-normal pressure during that period. SWBNO said it would notify residents when pressure improved and when testing had begun. The release identified the action as a precautionary boil water advisory. The consultation partner named in the release was the Louisiana Department of Health.

Morning pressure update

In a release timed Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 8:37 AM, SWBNO said water pressure had been restored to the majority of residents affected by the early morning water main disruption on the West Bank of New Orleans. The release said the water main was damaged by a contractor working in the area who is working for a different agency. SWBNO crews responded immediately to isolate the break. Contractor crews will make the necessary repairs. SWBNO crews remained on site as repair work continued. Additional updates were to be provided as they became available. The precautionary boil water advisory for the West Bank of New Orleans remained in effect. Residents in the affected area were told to continue to follow boil water advisory precautions until the advisory had been lifted.

Areas where low pressure continued

The 8:37 AM release said homes and businesses between General DeGaulle, Highway 428, and the Parish line were still experiencing low water pressure. The same release said homes and businesses between General DeGaulle, Wall Blvd, and Westbend Parkway were still experiencing low water pressure. Pressures were increasing more slowly in these areas. The release said at that time there was no estimated time for restoration in those areas. SWBNO said it would continue to provide updates as available. The affected corridors named were General DeGaulle, Highway 428, the Parish line, Wall Blvd, and Westbend Parkway. The distinction in the release was between the majority with restored pressure and the two corridors with continued low pressure.

Planned service disruption for emergency repairs

In a release timed Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 5:12 PM, SWBNO said crews will need to perform a water service disruption to facilitate emergency repairs to the damaged water main near General DeGaulle Dr. and Indiana St. The water service disruption was scheduled to begin as soon as possible. At that time, there was no estimated time for service restoration. Homes and businesses between General DeGaulle, Highway 428, and the Parish line will be affected by this water service disruption. Homes and businesses between General DeGaulle, Wall Blvd, and Westbend Parkway will be affected by this water service disruption. SWBNO said it will provide additional information as it becomes available. The water main was damaged by a contractor performing work in the area for a different agency. SWBNO crews and the contractor were on site and had been working to isolate the break so repairs can proceed safely and as quickly as possible. The release said the entire Westbank of New Orleans remains under a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory until further notice. The release thanked the public for patience and understanding while crews work to complete emergency repairs.

Who is covered by the advisory

The 1:45 AM release listed the entire West Bank of New Orleans as under the precautionary boil water advisory. The 5:12 PM release repeated that the entire Westbank of New Orleans remains under a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory until further notice. The map reference in the 1:45 AM release directed residents to a map of the area currently under precautionary boil water advisory. SWBNO said it will notify residents when the boil water advisory is canceled. Residents with questions were directed to call 504-52-WATER, listed as 504-529-2837. The releases directed residents to review general and LDH recommendations at ready.nola.gov/plan/boil-water.

Why pressure below 20 psi triggers action

SWBNO, in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Health, issues boil water advisories out of an abundance of caution for areas where water pressure drops below 20 psi. The releases state agreement with the recommendations of LDH that it is prudent to issue these advisories out of an abundance of caution. The concern stated is that a pressure drop inside a water pipe could allow bacteriological contaminants to enter. The 20 pounds per square inch threshold was cited in the West Bank releases. Testing and notification steps were described as pressure improvement notice followed by testing notice. The releases said SWBNO will notify residents when testing has begun in the West Bank context. Clear test results were described as the condition referenced for considering cancellation in related SWBNO testing language.

Household water use during the advisory

Residents in the affected areas were advised to use bottled or boiled tap water to drink until further notice. Residents in the affected areas were advised to use bottled or boiled tap water to cook until further notice. Residents in the affected areas were advised to use bottled or boiled tap water to clean food until further notice. Residents in the affected areas were advised to use bottled or boiled tap water to brush teeth until further notice. Residents with compromised immune systems were advised to also use safe water to wash hands until further notice. Residents with compromised immune systems were advised to also use safe water to shower or bathe until further notice. SWBNO will notify residents when the boil water advisory is canceled. The contact number provided for questions was 504-52-WATER, listed as 504-529-2837, according to Press Releases - Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans.

Hand washing and bathing steps listed

For healthy adults, the releases list washing-hands steps as use soap and tap water, dry hands, then apply hand sanitizer. The releases state the safest option is to wash with bottled or boiled water. For showering or bathing, the releases advise being 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. Residents with compromised immune systems should also use safe water to wash hands, shower or bathe. The bathing guidance applies until the advisory is lifted.

How to boil water as instructed

The releases give instructions for boiling water as bringing water to a rolling boil in a clean container for a full minute. If the water has a flat taste afterward, the releases advise shaking it in a bottle. As an alternative for flat taste, the releases advise pouring it from one container to another. The boiling instruction specifies a clean container. The boiling instruction specifies a rolling boil. The boiling duration specified is a full minute.

Venetian Isles advisory context from August 7

In a release timed Friday, August 7, 2026 at 1:03 PM, SWBNO, in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health, issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory for the Venetian Isles neighborhood. The listed coverage was all of Venetian Isles. Water pressures in that area fell below 20 pounds per square inch for a brief period of time. Water pressure in that area and other areas east of I-510 had been lower than normal since Wednesday. Crews had been and were continuing to search the area for major water leaks, but had not yet identified a specific location or cause. The area may experience continued pressure fluctuations until the root cause is identified and repairs are completed. SWBNO said it will notify residents when testing has begun for Venetian Isles. Residents in the Venetian Isles affected area were advised to use bottled or boiled tap water to drink, cook, clean food or brush teeth until further notice. Residents with compromised immune systems were advised to also use safe water to wash hands, shower or bathe. The hand-washing, showering, bathing, boiling, contact, and ready.nola.gov/plan/boil-water instructions listed for Venetian Isles matched the West Bank household steps.

What households should track next

Track whether SWBNO reports restored pressure for the two West Bank corridors with slower recovery. Track whether SWBNO announces that testing has begun for the West Bank. Track whether SWBNO issues a cancellation notice for the West Bank precautionary boil water advisory. Use bottled or boiled tap water to drink, cook, clean food or brush teeth until that cancellation notice. Residents with compromised immune systems should continue to use safe water to wash hands, shower or bathe until further notice. Call 504-52-WATER, listed as 504-529-2837, with questions. Review general and LDH recommendations at ready.nola.gov/plan/boil-water as directed in the releases.

Sources referenced