Since the start of the year, there have been five major water pipe breaks, causing frustration among Loyola students and New Orleans residents.

The last boil water advisory was issued on the morning of March 9 and lifted the next day, more than 24 hours later. Loyola University Residential Life sent out an email informing students about the advisory.

“Residents in the affected area are advised not to drink, make ice, brush teeth, or prepare or rinse food with tap water,” the email said.

Smoothie King was also closed during this period, and Starbucks operated on a limited menu.

Senior political science and psychology major Reagan Daskalova, who lives on the north shore but has a place in New Orleans, expressed concern regarding the boil water advisory.

“It is getting frustrating,” Daskalova said. “It affects the school and its food options, it makes water more inaccessible, and has even resulted in the school needing to move to virtual operations.”

During a press conference after the boil water advisory was issued, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno put pressure on the Sewage and Water Board to fix the problem.

“I’m sick and tired of you telling me that these are old pipes and [that] it’s a multimillion dollar problem,” Moreno said. “Let’s get it done. Let’s get to work. Give me a plan.”

Daskalova said she had “mixed emotions” on Moreno’s remarks.

“The city is in an economic crisis, and because of this, it is not as simple as ‘coming up with a plan.’ The entire economic and political base of the city needs to be changed if we want to fix these issues,” Daskalova said. “It is time that we change how these institutions function; the people need to hold them accountable, and our communities need to have control over them.”