Connection Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT HAS CHANGED ABOUT SWBNO’S WATER/SEWER CONNECTION POLICY?

Effective June 11, 2020, the governor signed Act 227, which amended La. Revised Statute 33: 04090, related to water and sewer connections to lots of record. Click to view Senate Bill 390, Act 227

HOW DO I RELOCATE, UPGRADE OR EXTEND AN EXISTING WATER OR SEWER LINE TO BEST FIT MY DEVELOPMENT PLANS?

Contact us as early in your project as possible. Submit your permit packet with the required documents to our House Connections Department located in at 625 St Joseph St., Suite 261. Please allow up to two weeks for review and approval of your plans. House Connections will notify you upon approval.

Be sure to use an insured, licensed contractor when working on public property and a licensed master plumber to complete any utility connections on your lot.

WHO CAN INSTALL WATER AND/SEWER LINES IF NOT SWBNO?

Any properly insured contractor licensed in the state of Louisiana as a Municipal and Public Works Contractor can perform such work. You can search other contractors in Orleans Parish with a Municipal and Public Works license here: https://www.lslbc.louisiana.gov/contractor-search/advanced-contractor-search/

WHO APPROVES MY CONTRACTOR’S WORK?

We review, inspect and ultimately approve any plumbing work on both sides of the property line. Our Plumbing Department reviews work on the private side of your lot’s boundaries. Our Networks Engineering Department and Construction Administration & Inspection Department ensures your proposed connections to the public systems meet our standards and specifications. Please allow up to two weeks for review and approval of your plans. House Connections will notify you when they are ready for pick up.

You can request sewer, water, and drainage utility locations from the Network Engineering Department by emailing maprequests@swbno.org or contacting 504-865-0670.

You can also request a preliminary review of your proposed work by the Network Engineering Department by emailing permits@swbno.org or contacting 504-865-0670.

HOW DO I RELOCATE A FIRE HYDRANT?

The same rules apply for moving a fire hydrant as they do for changing water and sewer lines to fit your development plans. You must, however, find a new location nearby for any hydrant you wish to remove from the area that is in compliance with the latest New Orleans Building Code for Hydrant Spacing. Submit a detailed drawing of your relocation plan to the House Connections Department.

CAN I INSTALL A NEW FIRE HYDRANT?

Yes. The property owner should follow the same procedures for installations of new water or sewer services. Your drawing should show the location of the proposed new hydrant, existing hydrants within a 400-ft radius of the proposed new hydrant, and documentation justifying the requirement for the new hydrant. The S&WB reserves the right to accept the hydrant as a public utility or require the hydrant be metered and located on private property.

Your work will be charged the administrative fee of 20 percent of the estimated cost to perform your work. Be sure to use an appropriately licensed contractor.

CAN I INSTALL A SEPTIC TANK OR MY OWN WASTE TREATMENT UNIT?

If your property is within 300 feet of a public main, the state requires you to connect to the city’s sewer system.

HOW DO I SHUT OFF WATER SERVICE TO CONNECT MY WATER LINE TO THE PUBLIC MAIN?

Valve closure requests can be made by contacting the Emergency Dispatch Department at 504-942-2921 or 504-942-2920. The contractor will be required to provide the name of the SWB Inspector assigned to your job when requesting the closure.

All closures must be preceded by a test closure to account for the overall impact of limiting water service to a particular area. We advise contractors to account for test closures in their work schedules.

CAN I BUILD OVER A SWBNO SERVITUDE?

We will work with developers and property owners to help them reach their goal. We can revoke, reissue or redraw servitudes, but we encourage developers to consult with our Network Engineering Department early in a project’s planning phase to determine what options are available to them.

HOW CAN I GET A METER IF I HAVE EXISTING SERVICES AT MY LOT?

You should submit a request to the House Connections Department to have S&WB reinstall a meter at your property.