Editor’s note: This story will be updated as we receive additional information.
Residents on the East Bank of New Orleans are only now being notified of a drinking water violation that occurred in January 2025—nearly five months ago—raising serious concerns over transparency, public health, and accountability at the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO).
In a notice recently distributed to customers, SWBNO confirmed that the Carrollton Water Plant violated federal turbidity standards during the deep freeze that struck the city in January. The violation occurred because treated water exceeded allowable cloudiness levels—technically referred to as turbidity—in more than 6 percent of the samples taken that month.
Under federal EPA rules, turbidity must remain below 0.349 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTUs) in 95% of monthly samples. Though the water system never exceeded the absolute maximum threshold, it failed to meet consistent filtration standards that ensure the disinfection process is fully effective.
While SWBNO states that there is “nothing you need to do” and that the water did not test positive for bacteria, turbidity is widely known to interfere with disinfection and can enable harmful microbes to survive in the water supply—particularly concerning for residents with compromised immune systems.
While the letter assures the public that “this is not an emergency” and that “there is nothing you need to do,” it also acknowledges that “some people who drink water containing these microbes are at increased risk of getting sick,” specifically listing immuno-compromised individuals, infants, and the elderly.
That contradiction hasn’t gone unnoticed by residents who feel the messaging downplays potential harm. On one hand, the Sewerage & Water Board admits that elevated turbidity levels can interfere with disinfection and pose health risks. On the other, it offers no guidance, no warning, and no apology—just a flat reassurance that no action is required.
Symptoms With No Answers
For at least one East Bank resident, the delayed notice may shed light on a health episode that occurred around the same time.
“I had all of the symptoms they list in the notice—cramps, nausea, diarrhea, and just feeling incredibly unwell,” said B. Knittel, who lives in New Orleans and was never informed of the water issue at the time. “It lasted for two weeks and was unlike anything I’d ever experienced before. I went to urgent care thinking it was a bacterial infection or food poisoning, but they didn’t test me for anything.”
Knittel said she was told she “probably had IBS” and was referred to a gastroenterologist—an appointment scheduled months later, long after her symptoms resolved. “I knew it wasn’t just a stomach bug. Now that I’ve seen this notice, I feel like I finally have some explanation, and I’m angry we weren’t told sooner.”
Why the Delay?
The violation occurred during the January 2025 freeze, when water infrastructure across the city was under severe strain. Many residents were dealing with low water pressure, burst pipes, and service disruptions. But the public was never informed of a filtration issue or any potential risks with drinking water.
The letter, dated May 2025, simply states that if the situation had been an “emergency,” residents would have been notified within 24 hours. However, it offers no clear justification for why it took nearly five months for customers to be made aware of the violation.
The Sewerage & Water Board says it is now “rehabilitating one of two filtration facilities at the Carrollton Water Plant” and has “hired a national consulting firm” to assess operations and recommend improvements.
But for residents who experienced unexplained illness—or those simply concerned about the safety of their water—that explanation may come too late.
Big Easy Magazine has contacted SWBNO for additional comment on the delayed notice and what communication protocols are in place moving forward. As of publication, no response has been received.
