Precautionary Boil Water Advisories

Precautionary Boil Water Advisories Information

What is a Precautionary Boil Water Advisory?
A Precautionary Boil Water Advisory (PBWA) is issued when localized water pressure drops below 20 psi. This typically occurs due to a line break or when a section of the main water line is isolated—or “valved off”—to allow for repairs.

Although it's difficult to predict how long a line must remain isolated for repairs to be completed and service restored, once service has been restored and normal operating pressure is reestablished, the water is tested for contamination. While it is unlikely, contaminants can enter the distribution system through back-siphonage.

Test results are typically available 24 hours after sampling. As a precaution, the affected area remains under a PBWA until testing confirms negative results for Total Coliform and E. coli.

What should you do when a PBWA affects your area?
When a PBWA is issued, the Louisiana Department of Health recommends vigorously boiling any water intended for consumption for at least one full minute.

How will you be notified?
 When a PBWA is issued, there are several ways you may be notified:

• For small, localized PBWA events, yellow door hangers are used to notify residents of the advisory's initiation, and blue door hangers signal its cancellation.
• For larger area PBWA events, notifications may be issued through the Everbridge Notification System, press releases, and social media postings.