NEW ORLEANS — With southeast Louisiana expecting heavy rain and a few strong storms beginning Wednesday afternoon and heading into Thursday morning, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans is preparing for the impact.
"The forecast I've seen over the next 48 hours, somewhere between four to six inches – could be as high as six to eight," said Steve Nelson, General Superintendent for the Sewerage and Water Board. "It all depends on whether or not we get those training bands. And if they, if they hang out over the top of us or move quickly to the east."
Nelson told WWL Louisiana's Eleanor Tabone on Wednesday morning that 93 of the 99 pumps are working, but challenges do persist.
"So, pump-wise, we're looking pretty good ... power-wise, we're kind of right on the edge," he stated.
"We're always expecting challenges," Nelson added. "It's a very old system. But we have adequate staff here. We're staffed up for rain load and ready to respond as necessary. We're also in touch with NOHSEP and the city. So, if something does change, or they do expect anything, we'll be we'll be able to respond."
Tabone asked about the S&WB's power concerns.
"Turbine 4 and Turbine 5 generate that 25hz-power there," Nelson explained. "They're the bulk of the 25hz-power generation that we have that runs our oldest pumps, which make up a little over half of our capacity in the city. And right now we have Turbine 5, we don't have Turbine 4 yet, which provides redundancy. So as long as turbine five runs and our Electro-Motive Diesel generators, we have just enough power to run the pumps that we need.
"But if one of those things has a problem, then that leaves us without that backup."
Nelson said the S&WB expects to have the parts in place for Turbine 4 this week.
"We'll be testing next week," said Nelson. "So, the plan is early February, which should be the end of next week."
As reported by WWL on Tuesday, the S&WB will perform a test closure on a 50-inch transmission main on Wednesday – weather permitting. It services neighborhoods east of Elysian Fields including New Orleans East.
The S&WB said residents might have low water pressure Wednesday night.
Watch the full interview with Nelson in the video below:
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