NEW ORLEANS — Some residents in New Orleans East say they've been dealing with standing water in front of their homes for weeks. The Sewerage and Water Board claims it's because of heavy rain and an inoperative pumping station.
In New Orleans East on Explorers Avenue, Dee Bridges said she’s lived here for 30 years and that she’s never seen water linger for this long.
Bridges said, "As of yesterday the water was higher and all the way over."
She said the water in front of her house had been here for two weeks.
"Even after a normal rain we don't have this," Bridges explained.
She went on to say, "Sometimes it doesn't even have to do with the rain and you can see the water just bubbling up through the catch basin."
According to Bridges, with standing water comes a bad smell and bugs. She said it's gotten to the point where her grandchildren aren't coming over because of it.
"I have a grandson who likes to come out, matter of fact wanted to come out yesterday on his little skateboard, where can you skate back here," she said.
Annie Hills lives around the corner. She claimed the water was pooling by her, too.
"I called Sewerage and Water Board and told them something going on because it looks like a swimming pool in front of my door," she said.
Hills agreed with Bridges, saying standing water has never been a problem out here.
"I have been back here for 25 years and I've never seen it like I see it now," said Hills.
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans said in part the water is, “Most likely related to high rainfall over the past two weeks… as well as our inability to run both active pumps at Drainage Pumping Station 15 over the past 2-3 weeks due to a leaking discharge pipe. That pipe has been patched and both available pumps are now working.”
The catch basins on Explorer's Avenue appear to be blocked. Councilman Oliver Thomas is asking why the city is allowing areas that aren't prone to flooding, to flood.
The councilman said, "Bop diddy bop, diddy bop, diddy bop and the beat goes on and the same old song goes on. Residents are tired of hearing excuses, so if the pump is down, get it back up. If the drains are blocked, clean them, if the pipes are clogged let's get a bunch of Drāno, or let's get a bunch of people who can clean them out."
He went on to say, "This is just another indication, that the catch basins or the small pipes have to be cleaned, coordination between sewerage and water board and public works."
Bridges does live across the road from Bayou Sauvage. Refuge Manager Pon Dixson said the flooding has nothing to do with the water that was pumped onto the refugee during the wildfires, instead it has all to do with recent rains.
Dixson said, "We have closed off the water going into the canal from the refugee... we won't be putting water into the canal for the foreseeable future."
The city's Department of Public Works is responsible for cleaning the city's catch basins.
In a statement issued to WWL Louisiana, DPW stated:
"We've received 311 complaints about standing water on Explorers Avenue, and DPW is actively working to resolve the issue. Initially, we'll clean catch basins to address drainage concerns; however, if further action is needed, our engineers will investigate potential subsurface problems. Concerns regarding water from Bayou Sauvage National Refuge should be directed to the National Wildlife and Fisheries authority. Thank you for your cooperation."
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.