Water cleared to drink again in New Orleans

Local officials tonight announced that everyone in New Orleans can stop boiling tap water before consuming it.

"The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO), in consultation with the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), has canceled the precautionary boil water advisory for New Orleans’ East Bank," according to a news release.

Authorities said that water samples collected throughout the impacted area have tested negative for contamination.

That includes the Hollygrove and Tulane/Gravier neighborhoods where earlier tests suggested there could be some contamination.

"Earlier today, the precautionary boil water advisory for the West Bank was also canceled."

Before drinking the water, however, everyone who has not been running their taps should run their faucets to get any stagnent water out of their pipes.

"Customers who have not used their tap water during this precautionary boil water advisory are advised to flush their internal and external plumbing by running water for several minutes before resuming regular water use."

Residents and businesses had been advised not to drink unboiled water after a balloon hit power lines and caused a power outage at the water pumping facility Tuesday night.

"This precautionary boil water advisory was issued out of an abundance of caution to ensure the public’s safety after the system's water pressure briefly dropped below 20psi."