The Home Rule Charter specifies that the Board may not be eliminated or merged with another department or board without a public referendum on the proposed charge. Governance The Sewerage and Water Board is governed by a 13-member Board of Directors. The Mayor of New Orleans serves as the President of the Board of Directors which is composed of three representatives of the New Orleans City Council, two representatives of the Board of Liquidation, City Debt and seven citizens appointed by the Mayor and subject to ratification by the City Council. Two of the citizen members are appointed from the city at-large and one from each of the five council districts. The appointed members, who serve for nine year staggered terms, can only be removed for cause.
All members serve without pay.
The Board employs a staff of approximately 1,500 workers, the vast majority of whom are included in the City's classified civil service system. The Board appoints the Executive Director, Deputy Director, General Superintendent, Deputy General Superintendent, and Special Counsel who serve at the pleasure of the Board. The City Council does not review or approve the Board's operating or capital budgets. The Board's sewerage and water systems are funded primarily by user fees. Water fees are based on the size of the meter and the amount of water used.