Restoring New Orleans drinking-water supply could be a year-long chore, says a water system expert whose company is familiar with the citys water and wastewater systems.
MWH Global, Denver, has worked extensively on New Orleans Sewage & Water Boards wastewater system, with peak flow of up to 230 million gallons per day, for 25 years, says Mark Swatek, president of MWHs municipal division. The citys main drinking water plant "is generally OK," he says, but the power is down. "It hasnt been as significantly damaged as other elements," he says. But the water-supply system is almost entirely under water. It must be flushed and probably disinfected. "It could easily be a year," he speculates.