SWBNO launches 2027-2031 strategic plan update to tackle complex distribution risks

SWBNO launches 2027-2031 strategic plan update to tackle complex distribution risksWith fewer immediate emergencies than in previous years, the New Orleans utility is partnering with Raftelis to draft its next five-year roadmap, focusing on funding distribution system upgrades and building an internal leadership pipeline.

SWBNO will kick off its 2027-2031 strategic planning process in May 2026 with consultants Raftelis, aiming to finalize the document by early 2027.

Committee Chair Tyler Antrup noted the utility has stabilized significantly since 2020, having modernized smart meters and replaced critical power systems.

The utility recently released an action report on long-known risks in its water distribution system, which will require significant political will and funding to implement.

The new planning process will prioritize lower-level management inclusion on the steering committee to cultivate a pipeline of future utility leaders.

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) is officially initiating the update process for its 2027-2031 strategic plan, shifting its focus from emergency stabilization to long-term organizational and infrastructure development. During a March 17 Strategic Planning Committee meeting, Chair Tyler Antrup outlined how the utility's operating environment has shifted since its initial strategic planning effort began in 2020. At that time, SWBNO struggled to generate sufficient power for critical systems and faced widespread billing inaccuracies. Since then, the utility has deployed smart meters, upgraded internal software, and shifted to modern utility power. "While there are, of course, always blinking alarms and ringing bells around this place... there are fewer now than there were last time," Antrup said. "I'm looking forward to seeing how we can sort of dive a little deeper into some of these issues and really start to pick apart some of those more complicated challenges." One of those immediate challenges is the utility's water distribution network. Antrup noted that SWBNO recently released an action report addressing long-known risks within the distribution system, emphasizing that the new strategic plan will rely heavily on securing the funding and political will necessary to execute those upgrades. Consulting firm Raftelis, which assisted with the utility's 2022 strategic plan, will guide the 2027-2031 update. Raftelis Vice President Rocky Craley highlighted recent 2025 organizational milestones that will serve as a foundation for the new plan, including substantial progress on a Water Quality Master Plan, the creation of a new Meter Management Data Department, and vendor selection for major enterprise systems. Raftelis Project Manager Catherine Carter outlined a timeline that begins with a formal kickoff in May. The summer months will involve extensive stakeholder engagement, including interviews, surveys, and focus groups with board members, employees, and external partners. By winter, the focus will shift to developing specific action plans and performance metrics, with the final document slated for completion between December 2026 and January 2027. A key component of the new planning cycle will be internal workforce development. Antrup urged the planning team to recruit steering committee members from lower-level management to help build a pipeline of future utility leaders. He noted that several junior staff members who participated in the previous strategic planning cycle have since moved into leadership positions at SWBNO. The utility will continue using a software platform called Elio Performance to track annual implementation metrics, a system Raftelis implemented to prevent the strategic plan from becoming a static document.