by Clint Durrett, originally posted on June 2, 2016

NEW ORLEANS —A precautionary boil-water advisory was issued Thursday for the Lower Ninth Ward by the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans.

Officials said the advisory was issued after valve operations during a repair caused pressure to drop below the standard.

Residents in the affected area are advised not to drink, make ice or brush teeth without boiling the water until further notice.

“Residents in the affected area that are immune-comprised are advised not to wash hands, or shower or bathe,” the board said in a news release.

All other residents are advised to take the following precautions:

• Washing hands: Use soap and tap water, dry hands, then apply hand sanitizer; the safest option is to wash with safe water.
• Shower or bathe: Being careful not to swallow any water, one may take a shower safely. Use caution when bathing infants and young children so that no water is swallowed. A sponge bath reduces the chance of swallowing water. The time spent bathing should be minimized. Children and disabled individuals should have their baths supervised to ensure that water is not ingested. Though the risk of illness is minimal, individuals who have recent surgical wounds, are immunosuppressed or have a chronic illness may want to consider using bottled or boiled water for cleansing until the advisory is lifted. For those who want to be absolutely safe, use safe water until further notice per the Louisiana Office of Public Health-Infectious Disease Epidemiology Section.

The Sewerage and Water Board and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals will collect and test samples once the repair is completed and pressure is restored.

Customers with questions can call 529-2837.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BOILING WATER

Boil water for one full minute in a clean container. The one-minute boil time begins after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. (If there is a flat taste, it can be eliminated by shaking the water in a bottle or pouring it from one container to another.)