NEW ORLEANS — Right now, sewage is being diverted into the Mississippi River due to a sewer force main break.
The Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans made the emergency decision after a 60-year-old pipe failed late last week.
On Tuesday, Deputy Supt. of Engineering and Services, Steve Nelson, was on site as crews worked to excavate and replace the 60-inch pipe.
“We’ve been working around the clock since then to contain it. Unfortunately, on Friday we had no option but to discharge to the Mississippi River," Nelson said.
According to Nelson, the only other alternatives were backups in homes or allowing sewage to flow indefinitely into canals.
Nelson called both options, "Unacceptable." He said they hope to shut off the emergency bypass in 5-10 days.
“I believe the last time we had a situation like this it was Hurricane Ida, but it does happen often enough that it’s not unprecedented. It’s just very rare," Nelson said.
SWBNO said there are no reported impacts to customers and Eyewitness News checked in with communities downstream.
St. Bernard Parish said the water is safe and the situation is being monitored.
Meanwhile, parts of Plaquemines Parish are already under a drinking water advisory caused by a saltwater wedge inching its way up the river.
Parish President, Keith Hinkley, was on the Eyewitness Morning News on Monday to talk about that. Hinkley said a booster station is coming soon to relieve the affected areas.
“It does affect a lot. It’s just, it’s going to take time. Just give us about 30 to 45 days here and then you know we’ll be able to turn this around with the water coming from the Belle Chasse plant," Hinkley said.
Plaquemines Parish officials said residents aren't being directly impacted by the sewage in the river at this time.
“We will continue to monitor our intakes at all water facilities and perform regular testing as usual," the parish's water contractor, Inframark, said.
SWBNO said they're working as fast as they can to resolve the issue.
The EPA and Louisiana DEQ were contacted before the sewage was discharged, Nelson said.
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