Mayor Helena Moreno signed Executive Order HM 26-04A on June 2, establishing the Public Utility Modernization Process Subgroup (PUMPS) under the Infrastructure Coordinating Council to guide the City of New Orleans’ review and implementation of proposed reforms to the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans.
The executive order follows legislation that gives the New Orleans City Council expanded authority over SWBNO, which was recently approved by the Louisiana Legislature. PUMPS will assist city officials in evaluating governance reforms, operational oversight, fiscal impacts, infrastructure coordination, and long-term modernization strategies for SWBNO.
According to the executive order, PUMPS will include representatives from the City Council—such as the Council President and Chair of the Public Works Committee or their designees—as well as subject-matter experts in municipal finance, utility regulation, engineering, labor, law, and infrastructure management. The subgroup’s immediate priorities include reviewing House Bill 1243 implementation and developing recommendations related to ordinances or policy changes. Over time, it will evaluate potential governance models that could further integrate SWBNO functions into city government while safeguarding legal obligations, infrastructure investments, employees’ interests, and ratepayer protections. PUMPS is expected to provide reports during full ICC meetings open to the public and offer updates to City Council upon request.
“We need to ensure that as we move forward with SWBNO reforms we are careful and methodical, which means we must have expert voices in the room who can help advise my team and the Council on beneficial, responsible, and appropriate policies and ordinances to move forward with,” Mayor Moreno said. “This will be a heavy lift but I am excited for the long overdue hard work ahead.”
City Council President J.P. Morrell said, “Now that the City has secured the passage of HB 1243, we have the duty to ensure that all future reforms and policies are deliberate and systematic to achieve better outcomes for residents. Finally, after years of piecemeal tweaks to the Sewerage and Water Board, it’s time for experts to come together and create meaningful reforms that not only address the failures of our current water system but also build a system that will benefit future generations of New Orleanians. The buck has to stop somewhere, and the City of New Orleans is up for the challenge.” District E City Councilmember Jason Hughes said, “We must get a handle on our water infrastructure, as it is the lifeline of our city. This is an opportunity to bring the right people to the table to determine how we tackle the task of getting SWBNO back on track.”
Executive Order HM 26-04A takes effect immediately alongside Executive Order HM 26-04.