Precautionary Water Boil Alert

October 8, 2012

Dear Hospitality Industry Partner:

This morning around 8:30 a.m., the City of New Orleans experienced a momentary loss of water pressure at the main water plant, which brought water pressure to low levels.

Out of an abundance of caution, the Sewerage and Water Board and the State Department of Health and Hospitals officials have issued a BOIL WATER ADVISORY and are recommending residents of the East Bank of Orleans Parish not to drink, make ice from, brush teeth, prepare or rinse food with tap water unless it has been properly disinfected until further notice. This does not affect Algiers. This boil water advisory will remain in effect until further notice.

State officials are cautioning users of the water system to disinfect their water before consuming it or using it for food preparation by 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. If there is a flat taste, it can be eliminated by shaking the water in a bottle or pouring it from one container to another.

Restaurants
All New Orleans restaurants are currently boiling all water used in the preparation of their cuisine and providing diners with bottled water at this time.

Tips for restaurants while under boil advisory (per the State Department of Health and Hospitals):

• Bottled water can be used for food prep, cooking, washing/rinsing/sanitizing of utensils and food contact surfaces, as well as for hand washing.
• Single service utensils (paper/plastic plates, forks, spoons, knives) can be used.
• In bathrooms, provide bottled water or potable water for washing hands.
• Notify your customers of the boil advisory and explain precautions and safety practices.
• Ice machines must be disabled.
• Do not use fountain drink dispensers that use water as a component of the drink mix. (If possible, offer canned or bottled soft drinks.)

All restaurateurs are committed to the safety of their patrons and to ensuring that the dining public sees virtually no change while enjoying our restaurant community.

Hotels
Hotels are equally committed to the safety of their guests and are advising all visitors not to ingest tap water and are providing bottled water for their use.

Bathing/Showering
According to the Commissioner of Health for the City of New Orleans, Dr. Karen DeSalvo, it is safe to take a bath or shower, but be careful not to swallow any water. Also be mindful of any open cuts or sores. Use caution when bathing infants and young children. It is also still advised to use bottled water while brushing teeth.

Overall Message Summary
It is unlikely that our water supply has been compromised. However, in situations where pressure and water flow have been temporarily disrupted, government protocol requires these advisory safety measures be put into effect.

The CVB, along with the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation (NOTMC), Louisiana Restaurant Association (LRA), Greater New Orleans Hotel and Lodging Association (GNOHLA), are in contact with city government and health officials and will regularly communicate updates as needed.

Sincerely,
Stephen Perry
President & CEO
New Orleans CVB