U.S. Water News Online
BATON ROUGE, La. -- The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals has a warning for anyone returning to New Orleans -- enter at your own risk.
"The two things that are absolutely necessary to ensure public health -- clean drinking water and proper sewage systems -- simply are not available in the east bank area of New Orleans at this time," said Dr. Fred Cerise, the department secretary. "People who re-enter the city may be exposed to diseases such as e. Coli, salmonella or diarrhea illness if they do not allow time for the necessary inspections to ensure public health and safety."
Jefferson Parish, the Algiers area on New Orleans' west bank, and the Belle Chasse area of Plaquemines Parish meet public health standards for reopening, he said in a news release.
But on New Orleans' east bank, he said, tap water may still be laden with bacteria that could be swallowed if the water is used to bathe, brush teeth, wash hands, drink or cook without boiling it first.
Cerise said people going to restaurants or other places that sell food should look for an official placard showing that it has been inspected and approved. He said his department has assigned extra workers to inspect public water systems, restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses.
But Cerise said he advised the general public not to return until the health department certifies tap water as safe to drink
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