The majority of records for the Sewerage and Water Board are water connection records, known as "water books." These records are very helpful to researchers conducting property research. If your building dates from the period ca. 1907-1960, this series of records could provide you with a very close approximation of the date of construction since the original water and sewer connections would have been made while the structure was going up. Buildings built earlier would have initial connections as well, so you must be careful not to depend on these documents unless you are certain from other sources that your property dates from 1907-1960.

Use the Street Index to find your property’s water connection number. Then, use the water connection number to discover the date and location of connection, as listed in the Water Books. Be advised that there are separate indexing and separate water connection records for the Algiers neighborhood. The Street index will also provide a location’s sewerage connection number, which will give you the access point to the Foreman’s and Inspector’s Sewerage Reports.

Additional materials in this collection include photographs and reports pubished by the Sewerage and Water Board. Undigitized reports can be found in the City Documents collection, searchable in the Library's online catalog.