NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans City Council could soon enact new rules surrounding Mylar balloons. It comes after one caused a power outage, resulting in this boil advisory.
"We know we are working with a fragile system, and if there is something that will make the system a little less fragile at this moment, then let's do it," said Councilman Joe Giarrusso.
Entergy New Orleans says Tuesday evening a Mylar balloon hit a power line and caused an outage to the Sewerage and Water Board, causing water pressure to drop too low, for too long. Councilman Joe Giarrusso says this whole situation and why the parish is in it, is frustrating.
"This is the balloon that caused the trip to go on at Sewerage and Water Board, then there was the issue with the gentleman who was severely injured. Why were things not more automated with him? Why was he the only person who seemed to be there? Why wasn't he tended to much faster? We're really looking at," he said.
The councilman says because of this, he's pushing for an ordinance that'll prevent something like this from happening again. He says that the ordinance could ban releasing Mylar balloons or even the sale of them, but all that's still being worked on. He says it's an immediate problem, and says those caught breaking the ordinance could be fined.
"Obviously we're not sending someone to jail for releasing a Mylar balloon," said the councilman.
Councilman Eugene Green agrees things like this are preventable, he said, "I think it's reasonable to think about a limitation on or elimination of the use of Mylar balloons because of what we have seen just the other day.
"If we didn't have a Mylar balloon the other day, we wouldn't have a boil water today." He's calling on residents to think of other ways to celebrate or remember people they love, instead of releasing balloons. "I think New Orleanians are very very sympathetic to those that need air conditioning and that are on life support equipment, I think we will be able to address this through a combination of information and legislation," said Councilman Green.
Councilman Giarrusso says the council plans to vote on the possible ordinance in 6-8 weeks.
In response to the possible ban, an Entergy New Orleans spokesperson said, "Entergy New Orleans looks forward to assisting in the process, and stands ready to provide the Council with additional information as needed.”
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Video: Could New Orleans join communities banning Mylar balloons?
