Parishes across the metro area urged residents to conserve their water after an early Wednesday morning boat collision that spilled oil into the Mississippi River. Orleans Parish, St. Bernard Parish, Plaquemines Parish and Gretna all have their water intake system closed.

The water quality on the east bank of New Orleans is safe to drink following the collision of a barge and a tanker early Wednesday, according to Marcia St. Martin, the executive director of the Sewerage and Water Board.

St. Martin said the water on the west bank of the city was also safe to drink, although the intake of water into that system had to be shut down following the collision.

Gretna, St. Bernard Parish and Plaquemines Parish took similar actions.

Gretna’s water quality and system was not threatened by the barge accident on the Mississippi River, said Public Information Officer Patricia Borne. The oil spill caused the city to shut down its water system.

St. Bernard Parish President Craig Taffaro said that the parish’s water intake system was closed. He said that they have about a day and a half supply of water prepared for such a disaster. 

Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser also said that the parish’s water intake system was closed. He said that they’ve got enough water for usage for the next 10 to 12 hours.

The intake of water on the east bank was upriver from the spill site, the intake on the west bank is down river from the site, according to St. Martin.

St. Martin said the west bank’s water system would be served by reserves Wednesday due to the shut down of the intake valve. She said that she expected the spill to be cleaned up quickly, but that in the event that the problem continued for more than a day, the water pressure might have to be lowered to conserve the reserve amount.