Relief research · dataset 2026.08
Leak adjustment and assistance information for Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO)
A high bill does not automatically qualify for a credit. This page states only the provider-specific emergency, leak, or assistance details identified in public material.
Stop active water loss
Use the provider’s emergency route for public-side issues and a qualified repair route for private plumbing.
Preserve the evidence
Keep dated readings, photographs, parts receipts, contractor invoices, and proof that usage returned to normal.
Ask for the exact policy
Confirm the form, filing deadline, eligible repairs, calculation method, and payment expectation during review.
Provider-specific findings
Relief research for this provider
The notes below may document a route, rule, or explicit public-information limit. General preparation steps are not represented as utility policy.
- Emergency reporting route
- Call (504) 529-2837 / 504-52-WATER anytime, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to report a water leak, sewer problem, water-main break, or service emergency. Account questions are handled Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; the same number routes leak reports after hours.
- Leak-adjustment policy
- SWBNO's official FAQ provides a concrete high-bill rule. For a private-property leak, the customer must submit proof that the leak was repaired and water use must return to normal in the following month; SWBNO then adjusts 50% of excess water charges and 100% of excess sewer charges. A defect in the SWBNO meter or another utility-caused problem is fully adjusted. The customer of record remains responsible for usage recorded through the meter, including unauthorized use. Since September 6, 2024, all disputes, investigations, and hearings route through Hammerman & Gainer International: customers may contact info@swbappeal.com or (504) 910-6484, or contact SWBNO so the information is forwarded to HGI. Customers should preserve plumber receipts, repair dates, meter photos, and the first normal post-repair bill.
- Utility assistance program
- The Water Help Program assists elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged customers through Total Community Action and provides up to $200 annually as a credit against water and sewer fees; it does not cover City sanitation fees. Customers must not have the account in dispute to apply. SWBNO also offers PromisePay interest-free plans for residential and commercial customers with a past-due balance of at least $50; staying current on both the plan and current bill avoids late fees and possible water turnoff. The public program page does not publish a separate senior percentage discount or disabled-veteran cap.
- State and federal aid connection
- SWBNO's shutoff policy recognizes customers expected to qualify for the federal Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) as exempt from shutoff while the assistance process is pending. The local Water Help Program is administered by Total Community Action and funded through customer contributions plus SWBNO matching funds. Customers should contact SWBNO at (504) 529-2837, Total Community Action, Louisiana's current LIHWAP administrator, local Community Action agencies, and 2-1-1, then ensure any agency pledge or application is attached to the account before the shutoff date.
Directory comparison
Public-information visibility
| Measure | This provider | Louisiana | National index |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leak policy identified | Yes | 33% | 35% |
| Utility assistance identified | Yes | 19% | 31% |
| Relief fields documented | 4 of 4 | — | — |
Coverage does not measure generosity, eligibility, available funding, or service quality.
Read the nationwide analysis →Research record
Broad public detail found
4 of 4 fields in this section contain provider-specific public detail in dataset August 1, 2026.
Documented
100%
Primary verification routes
- Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) public website ↗
Provider-controlled destination used to confirm current customer instructions.
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System ↗
Federal background on public water-system records and their limitations.