S&WB Employees "Not Available" During Crisis

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Two “high-level” employees of the Sewerage & Water Board water pumping staff went AWOL in the middle of a power crisis last month that led to a steep pressure drop and a boil water advisory for the east bank of New Orleans, according to the utility’s executive director, Ghassan Korban. Speaking at a New Orleans City Council meeting on Monday, Korban laid out a timeline that led to a series of power and water pump failures that led to pressure dropping around 6:20 a.m. on Nov. 17. Amid several equipment issues, Korban said two staff members “bailed.” “They failed to perform,” Korban said. “That means they didn’t do their job.” Pressed for further details, Korban said the staff members were still present at the utility’s Carrollton power and water plant, but that “they were not responsive.” “Let’s put it this way: They didn’t necessarily leave, but they were not available,” Korban said.

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