New Orleans Public Works Committee Demands Answers on Water Main Breaks

Council members call for transparency from Sewerage and Water Board after recent infrastructure failures.

Mar. 12, 2026 at 11:18pm

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Two members of the New Orleans City Council's public works committee are demanding a comprehensive report from the Sewerage and Water Board after the city experienced its fifth water main break in the last two months. The committee chairman and a district representative are seeking details on all reported water leaks, timelines for repairs, causes of the breaks, and how the board notifies residents of water shutoffs.

Why it matters

The frequent water main breaks have disrupted daily life for New Orleans residents and businesses, with some major healthcare providers forced to cancel patient appointments due to unexpected water shutoffs. The council members say the city is facing a real infrastructure crisis and residents deserve transparency and accountability from the systems they rely on.

The details

After a 30-inch water main burst near Audubon and Willow Streets, flooding local roads, cars, and homes, the public works committee members penned a letter to the Sewerage and Water Board. The committee chairman and a district representative are requesting details including a list of all reported water leaks in the past year, timelines for repairs, information on the causes of the recent breaks, and how the board notifies residents of water shutoffs.

  • On March 12, 2026, New Orleans experienced its fifth water main break in the last two months.
  • Earlier on March 12, the water main near Audubon and Willow Streets burst, flooding the area.

The players

Jason Hughes

Chairman of the New Orleans City Council's public works committee.

Lesli Harris

District B representative on the New Orleans City Council.

New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board

The utility responsible for the city's water infrastructure.

CrescentCare

A major healthcare provider in District B that has experienced repeated water shutoffs without notice, forcing them to cancel patient appointments.

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What they’re saying

“As the Councilmember representing District B, my office has received several complaints from residents about water leaks and recurring infrastructure issues in their neighborhoods. When these breaks occur, they disrupt daily life for residents and businesses. The Council needs a clear understanding of what is happening and how quickly these issues are being addressed.”

— Lesli Harris, District B representative, New Orleans City Council (audacy.com)

“As Chair of the Public Works Committee, it is critical that the Council has a full accounting of these incidents. New Orleans is facing a real infrastructure crisis, and our residents deserve transparency and accountability from the systems they rely on every day.”

— Jason Hughes, Chairman, New Orleans City Council Public Works Committee (audacy.com)

What’s next

The New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board is expected to provide the requested comprehensive report to the public works committee in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing infrastructure challenges facing New Orleans, with frequent water main breaks disrupting daily life for residents and businesses. The city council is demanding transparency and accountability from the utility responsible, seeking a full accounting of the issues to address the 'real infrastructure crisis' the city is experiencing.