Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans
Board Description
Function
The Sewage & Water Board is charged with the construction, operation, and maintenance of water, sewerage, and drainage systems for the city of New Orleans. The Board also provides approximately 2550 acres in Jefferson Parish with drainage facilities, (for which Jefferson Parish pays its pro-rata share of expenses) and water services to the Plaquemines Parish Industrial Park. The board is technically an independent agency, but its operation is tightly entwined with city government. Four elected city officials serve on the board. The City Council has final approval power over user fees and over construction contracts in excess of $50,000.
Governance
The Board is governed by a 13 member Board of Directors consisting of:
The Mayor of New Orleans (ex officio)
2 at-large members of the City Council (ex officio)
1 district member of the City Council, selected by the Council
2 members of the Board of Liquidation, City Debt
7 citizens appointed by the Mayor (subject to ratification by the Council)
2 - from the city-at-large
5 - one from each of the five council districts
Personnel
The Board employs a staff of approximately 1375 workers, all but five are included in the City's civil service system.
Current Events
The Board plans to solicit proposals to privatize the entirety of the sewer and water systems. Drainage is not being considered for privatization at this time. Under a concept commonly referred to as managed competition, the Board is inviting the existing staff to bid against private companies to operate the systems.
Sources: Sewerage & Water Board
Home Page
BGR February 1999 Outlook on Orleans report, The Sewerage & Water Board's
Fee Proposal
BGR April 2000 Outlook on Orleans report, Privatization of Sewerage & Water
Board Operations