A boil water advisory has been issued for around 250,000 Americans amid a drop in water pressure that utility officials are blaming on a floating Mylar balloon.
The advisory was issued by the Sewerage and Water Board for the entire east bank of New Orleans and Algiers Point after a sudden drop in water pressure was reported in several parts of the city on Tuesday at around 7 p.m.
“Water pressures in these areas fell below 20 pounds per square inch (psi) due to power failure at the Carrollton Water Treatment plant. The Algiers Water Treatment plant was also briefly affected by this power outage,” the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board said.
The cause of the power failure is still being investigated.
Water pressure to the New Orleans Eastbank and Algiers Point have been restored, but a precautionary boil water advisory is necessary until water samples can be collected and tested, the Board added.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
