New Orleans, a city renowned for its vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations, undergoes a massive cleanup effort each year to keep its iconic streets and infrastructure functional. Amid the festive chaos, Compliance EnviroSystems (CES) takes on the crucial task of clearing the city’s storm drain systems. The Daily Planet’s recent segment highlights the incredible work of CES to clean up the remnants of Mardi Gras, ensuring the city’s streets remain flood-free.

During the weeks following Mardi Gras, New Orleans faces a daunting challenge. Beads, parade throws, and other debris from the festivities often clog the city’s storm drains, leading to potential flooding in this below-sea-level metropolis. Josh Graham and his team at CES are at the forefront, using advanced technology and sheer determination to tackle the issue. This year alone, CES removed 96,000 pounds of beads from catch basins along St. Charles Avenue, one of the city’s busiest parade routes.

The team employs cutting-edge tools, such as high-pressure nozzles and CCTV inspection cameras, to clean and monitor the pipes. The process starts with inserting a high-pressure nozzle that propels itself through the pipe, dislodging debris. The material is then vacuumed out using an eight-inch tube, leaving the drains spotless. CES also decants the extracted water to minimize waste, ensuring an efficient and eco-friendly cleanup.

The aftermath of Mardi Gras isn’t just about clearing beads—it’s about protecting the city’s infrastructure. Clogged drains can exacerbate flooding during New Orleans’ heavy rains, posing risks to homes, businesses, and transportation. The CES team’s efforts have a direct impact on the safety and functionality of the city’s stormwater systems.

In the segment, Josh Graham, a New Orleans native, expressed pride in his work. “I love Mardi Gras, but the cleanup is a vital part of making sure the city recovers,” he shared. This sentiment resonates with the dedication CES brings to a job that’s as critical as it is messy.

Overall, CES’s post-Mardi Gras operations underscore the importance of maintaining urban infrastructure in a city known for its celebrations. Their work not only safeguards New Orleans against flooding but also highlights the intersection of community, culture, and engineering innovation.

Want to learn more about the work CES does? Check out more of their work at https://www.ces-sses.com/about/