All turbine generators that produced the S&WB’s unusual 25 hertz electricity — which runs many of the city’s largest drainage pumps — were down.
Water filled the streets in Mid-City, Lakeview and other flood-prone neighborhoods. Pumping Station No.
Eventually that number grew to 17 pumps, a combination of large drainage pumps and smaller constant-duty pumps meant to manage groundwater that seeps into canals.
A telling moment came when Becker, in front of city lawmakers, admitted several pumping stations weren’t operating at their full advertised capacity.
Turbine 3 had been down since May. Turbine 5 lost power in July.
That left the Sewerage & Water Board with only one turbine, an emergency backup turbine known as Turbine 6, operating at the plant.
Landrieu declared a state of emergency on Aug. 10 for the Sewerage & Water Board.