Problems at the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board are far beyond tweaks, patches and piecemeal fixes. The city’s drainage, sewer and water operations need to be reimagined and rebuilt, top down.
A survey I conducted last year for the City Services Coalition showed 80% of New Orleans voters believe the S&WB needs “major changes” and an additional 15% favor “minor changes.” That adds up to 95% support for change. Importantly, those numbers have not improved in recent years, despite the diligent efforts of citizens inside and outside government who have tried to clean up the mess.
The S&WB’s current governing structure — often called a four-headed monster — includes state government, the City Council and the board itself, which is chaired by the mayor. When things go wrong, who’s accountable?…