Baton Rouge – State health officials have issued an update to conditions of water systems in Southeast Louisiana that were seriously impacted by Hurricane Katrina. Boil orders have been lifted for some parish water systems. The boil orders, which were issued after a loss of pressure occurred in those systems, have been lifted since testing showed the water does not contain unsafe levels of bacteria and is safe to drink and use.

Parish water systems with a lifted boil order are:

  • Ascension – Bon Terre Corp., Belle Rina (LAWCO), Kennedy Heights Subdivision (LAWCO), Monterray Subdivision (LAWCO), Manorway Trailer Park, Riverside Estates (LAWCO), L & D Trailer Park, Highland Apts. (LAWCO), Manchac Point W.S. (LAWCO), Countryview Mobile Home Court, Lynchs Trailer Park
  • East Baton Rouge – Parish Water Company, Baton Rouge Water Company, Red Oak Water Company
  • East Feliciana – Town of Clinton, Villa Feliciana Medical Complex
  • Iberville – Iberville Waterworks District #4, Angelloz Subdivision
  • Jefferson – Westwego Waterworks
  • Lafourche – Lafourche Water District #1
  • Livingston – Parkers Supermarket, Walker, Blood River Landing Market, Pine Acres, Vincent Acres, Colyell, Fourth Ward Water Works, The Cove, Chinquapin, Plantation Park, Port Vincent, Highland Ridge, Old Mill Settlement, Colyell Community Water, French Settlement Water Co. (French Settlement and Oakridge), Olivia Rose Mobile Home Park
  • Orleans – New Orleans Algiers WaterWorks
  • St. Charles – St. Charles Water Districts Nos. 1 and 2
  • St. Helena – Dennis Mills Water Works, Water Works District #2 Phase 3
  • St. Mary – St. Mary Parish Water Sewerage Comm. #1
  • St. James – St. James Water Districts Nos. 1 and 2
  • St. John the Baptist – Pleasure Bend Water Supply, St. John Water Districts Nos. 1 and 2
  • Tangipahoa – Cutrers Slaughter House, Tanigpahoa Parish Water District, Tangipahoa (Second Ward) Water, Amite, Town of Independence, Town of Kentwood, City of Ponchatoula, French Settlement – Blackcat, Village of Tickfaw, Baywood Estates Subdivision, Coleman Trailer Park, French Settlement WC – Velma, North Oaks Medical Center, Rosaryville Spirit Center
  • St. Tammany – Abita Springs Water System, Covington Water Supply, St. Tammany Water District #2, Sun Water Supply, Briarwood Terrace, Town of Pearl River
  • Terrebonne – Schriever WTP Service Area
  • West Baton Rouge – West Baton Rouge Water Works District #1, Port Allen
  • West Feliciana – West Feliciana Cons. Water Works District, St. Francisville, Tunica, Louisiana State Penitentiary
  • Washington – City of Bogalusa, Town of Franklinton

Boil orders still remain in effect for other water systems that experienced pressure loss during the hurricane. Customers of these water systems are reminded not to drink, make ice from, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water unless it has been properly disinfected until further notice. Aside from the specific water systems listed above, health officials are still advising residents to boil water in the following parishes:

• Ascension
• Jefferson
• Livingston
• Orleans
• Plaquemines
• St. Bernard
• St. Helena
• St. James
• St. John the Baptist
• St. Tammany
• Tangipahoa
• Washington

For a complete listing of the water systems that are under this boil order, please visitwww.dhhemergencynews.com .

Health officials are cautioning the users of the water systems to disinfect their water before consuming or using for food preparation by any of the following means:

  • Boil water for one full minute in a clean container. The one minute starts after the water has been brought to a rolling boil. The flat taste can be eliminated by shaking the water in a bottle or pouring it from one container to another.

Users who are unable to boil water are advised to use the following methods to disinfect their water before consuming or using for food preparation:
  • If the water is clear, mix 1/8 teaspoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach with one gallon of water and let it stand for 30 minutes prior to consumption. If the water is cloudy or colored, use ¼ teaspoon per gallon of water. Be sure to mix thoroughly. If the treated water has too strong a chlorine taste, it can be made more palatable by allowing the water to stand exposed to the air for a few hours or by pouring it from one clean container to another several times.
    •
  • If the water is clear, mix five drops of common household tincture of iodine from the medicine cabinet or first aid package to each quart of clear water and let it stand for at least 30 minutes prior to consumption. If the water is cloudy or colored, use 10 drops to each quart of water.

Health officials note that boiling is the most effective method of disinfection of water particularly for people with a weakened immune system (people infected with HIV/AIDS orcancer and transplant patients taking immunosuppressive drugs, or people born with a weakened immune system) and for infants and elderly who wish to take extra precautions.

The boil notice will remain in effect until rescinded by an authorized representative of the Department of Health and Hospitals.