JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — Jefferson Parish and the Louisiana Department of Health have lifted the boil water advisory for the east bank of Jefferson Parish effective at 3 p.m. Thursday.
Customers in the affected area may now use the water without boiling or disinfecting. The end of the advisory comes after samples of the water passed quality tests.
Customers on the east bank have had to boil their water or consume bottled water after a water main break earlier in the week.
Below is information from Jefferson Parish
What should residents do?
Now that the boil water notice is lifted, residents should flush home plumbing systems by running cold water through all faucets for 5 minutes. Residents should also flush out all appliances connected to the water line, such as refrigerators and dishwaters. Ice from ice makers should be dumped and replaced three times before use.
Why did this boil water advisory go into effect?
This boil water advisory was issued on Tuesday, January 23, 2024 due to a loss of pressure in the distribution system as a result of a major water line break outside of the East Bank Water Treatment Plant. Water Department and emergency crews responded immediately and worked overnight Tuesday to repair the waterline, and crews gradually restored water pressure on Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
Once the pressure returned to 20 psi, the Water Department collected samples throughout the east bank of Jefferson Parish. The collection was complete by Wednesday, January 24, 2024 and all samples were sent to the Jefferson Parish Water Quality Lab. Samples must sit for 24 hours after collection before the Water Department can analyze to determine whether the water meets potable water standards. The boil water advisory is now lifted because it has been determined that the water is safe to drink.
As a reminder, two out of three eastbound lanes of Jefferson Highway from Central Avenue to Shrewsbury Road remain closed. To avoid delays, motorists should avoid the area. The traffic detour is north to Airline Highway or south to River Road, to Shrewsbury Road and back to eastbound Jefferson Highway.
For more information, contact the Jefferson Parish East Bank Water Treatment Plant at (504) 838-4312.
Councilman at-Large Scott Walker said old water pipes are to blame for the issues this week and that the parish plans to upgrade its water system."
“Over the next 20, years we are upgrading our infrastructure to the tune of $2.2 billion, replacing all the sewer and water infrastructure," Walker said on Wednesday. "The can's been kicked down the road for a long time, catching up with us, but we are addressing that infrastructure, and fixing it for the future,”