A Strategic Approach To Integrated Resource Planning: The Future Is Here - The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans Drive To Achieve One Water Success

Short Abstract:
As one of America's true one water utility organizations, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is at the epicenter of the cumulative effects of historical under investment in its infrastructure, technology, and workforce. In New Orleans the future has arrived and the need to address the impacts of climate change, infrastructure resiliency, workforce development, technology modernization, and affordability has never been greater.
Through a combination of new and existing initiatives, dedicated leadership, engaged employees and a supportive Board of Directors, SWBNO is focused on rapidly improving its operations and addressing its longstanding challenges through the development of a strategic approach to integrated resource planning. For SWBNO the future has arrived and there is little time to waste. Abstract: As the members of the Water Environment Federation gather in New Orleans to Create, Connect and Transform the host City is delighted to share its aggressive approach to addressing the same challenges being faced by many of our Country's water utilities.
This session will share how SWBNO is focusing on achieving transformational change in the key focus areas including:
- Financial Stability
- Technology Modernization
- Workforce Development and Enrichment - Customer Service and Stakeholder Engagement
- Infrastructure Resiliency and Reliability
- Organizational and Operational Improvement
Driven by new leadership, a supportive Board of Directors, and an informed and engaged community, SWBNO is rapidly making change. Using a One Water lens, SWBNO has developed a strategic framework to guide investment and change across its wastewater, stormwater, and potable water systems. The history of New Orleans has been shaped by water, and the Sewerage and Water Board has played an integral role since its founding. When New Orleans was initially settled by the French in 1718, the settlement was located on high ground adjacent to the Mississippi River, just 14 feet above sea level. The topography meant the city was subject to periodic flooding from the Mississippi River, Lake Pontchartrain, and the high intensity rainfall in the region. Residents were often forced to wade through streets or be rowed in small boats to take care of daily business. Added to the unique flooding challenges were the typical challenges of a growing 19th century city: the need for clean drinking water, access to water for fi re protection, and safe sewage collection and disposal. City leaders recognized that further growth would depend on addressing these issues and began planning for the drainage, water, and sewerage systems in 1893. Today, the Sewerage and Water Board is an organization employing more than 1,300 high-performing individuals who work together to produce drinking water, clean wastewater, and move stormwater for 391,000 residents. On average, customers consume 112.52 million gallons of water every day produced at two water plants in Carrollton and Algiers, which pull source water from the Mississippi River. The two wastewater treatment plants, the East Bank Plant and West Bank Plant, collect, treat, and safely return up to 147 million gallons of clean water a day to the environment. The drainage system boasts 99 major drainage pumps, 21 constant-duty pumps to manage groundwater intrusion in its canals, 24 pump stations, 200 miles of canals, and another 1,500 miles of underground drainage pipes. Uniquely, the Sewerage and Water Board produces its own power to run the water and drainage pumps that are essential to the city's system. The presenters will reveal SWBNO's new strategic approach to integrated resource planning and highlight key projects, programs, and initiative that are planned or underway to propel the utility forward as it seeks to be a model of excellence for a One Water utility organization.