NEW ORLEANS — With heavy rains expected to sweep across the city on Monday, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans said it is ready to handle increased rainfall throughout the day.
The S&WB said Turbine 5 is already up and running along with "key" EMDs (electro-mechanical generators). Turbine 6 is on standby in anticipation of high winds that could present power loss. The department also said drinking water pumps and other critical operations have backup power of 60Hz also available.
The 120-year-old Turbine 4 is currently undergoing testing as crews attempt to bring it online to provide additional power to the drainage system if needed.
Additional essential employees have also been scheduled to work through Tuesday.
"We have been in coordination with the Department of Public Works and New Orleans Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness," the S&WB release stated. "Parking restrictions have been lifted until Tuesday, March 5 until noon."
With 93 of 99 major drainage pumps available for use, the S&WB also provided a list of the pumps that are not available on Monday:
- DPS 3 on Florida Ave near Hwy 90: D Pump out of service due to replacement of bearing housing unit – 4 additional drainage pumps are available at this station + 4 constant duty pumps
- ·DPS 10 at Hayne Blvd. and Shubrick Ave. at Citrus Canal: No. 1 Pump out of service – 3 additional drainage pumps are available at this station
- DPS 13 near Tall Timbers Algiers: No. 4 Pump on standby for emergency use only – 5 additional drainage pumps are available at this station + one constant-duty pump
- DPS 15 near Intracoastal Waterway and Industrial Pkwy: No. 1 Pump out of service – 2 additional drainage pumps are available at this station
- DPS 17 near Florida Ave. and Peoples Ave: Pumps A & D are out of service due to issues with the electric motor
Customers can report leaks and other water-related emergencies by calling the S&WB's Emergency Hotline 24/7 at 52-WATER.
