SWBNO flags long-term funding risks for recently absorbed minor drainage network

SWBNO flags long-term funding risks for recently absorbed minor drainage networkEighteen months after taking over 1,600 miles of minor drainage lines from the city, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans is warning that its reliance on traffic camera revenues and one-time funds necessitates the swift implementation of a dedicated stormwater fee.

SWBNO is currently spending approximately $600,000 per month on contractors to clean the minor drainage system, aiming to clear 20% of the network annually.

The utility's 2026 drainage maintenance budget relies heavily on an estimated $3.3 million in traffic enforcement camera revenue, a source staff noted the city could eliminate at any time.

Consultant Raftelis is developing a proposed stormwater and right-of-way fee structure, expected by mid-August, to provide a sustainable funding mechanism.

To improve efficiency, SWBNO is procuring a specialized, non-CDL sweeper vacuum truck from German manufacturer Buschere and routing a $500,000 contract for point repairs.

Effective January 1, 2025, the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (SWBNO) regained responsibility for the city's minor drainage system from the Department of Public Works. The transfer added 1,600 miles of drain lines under 36 inches in diameter, 50,000 manholes, and 76,000 catch basins to the utility's asset base, bringing massive new maintenance requirements without a dedicated long-term funding source. During a July 8 Strategic Planning Committee meeting, Director of Drainage Networks David Cappel reported that the utility's contractor, CES, ramped up operations in April 2026. SWBNO is currently spending about $600,000 per month on the contract, utilizing five to six contractor crews alongside two to three in-house vacuum trucks. As of early July, crews have already removed 3.5 million pounds of debris from the system. Despite the operational progress, the program's financial future remains precarious. Maintenance efforts were initially buoyed by $10 million in federal ARPA funds in 2024 and $3.7 million in 2025. For 2026, the utility is relying on an estimated $6 million from the Infrastructure Maintenance Fund (IMF) and $3.3 million generated by city traffic enforcement cameras. Cappel noted uncertainty regarding 2027 funding, pointing out that the traffic camera revenue equates to roughly $200,000 per month. Board members highlighted the risk of relying on this revenue stream, noting the city has total control over the program and could turn off the cameras at any time, effectively shutting off the funding tap for drainage maintenance. The precarious funding situation underscores the utility's push for a dedicated stormwater and right-of-way (ROW) fee. Chief of Staff Jamie Parker confirmed that consultant Raftelis is currently gathering data to develop the fee structures, with a proposal expected by mid-August. The stormwater fee is expected to utilize an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) approach based on impervious area. In the interim, SWBNO is working to optimize its limited funds. Cappel stated that currently, every $1 million spent cleans approximately 1% of the system. To improve in-house capabilities, the utility is finalizing the purchase of a specialized sweeper vacuum truck from German manufacturer Buschere. The vehicle features a swing arm with magnets to lift heavy catch basin lids and can be operated without a Commercial Driver's License (CDL), which is expected to ease staffing bottlenecks. Additionally, SWBNO is currently routing a $500,000 contract for targeted point repairs to fix collapsed pipes and broken canal connections. Cappel noted that repairing these structural failures will restore water velocity in the lines, allowing the pipes to self-clean more effectively and reducing the frequency and cost of future maintenance.