As salt water from the Gulf of Mexico creeps up the drought-stricken Mississippi River, officials in New Orleans are bracing for a threat to drinking water supply in southeastern Louisiana.
According to Gov. John Bel Edwards's office, several parishes in the area have already been affected by high salt content in water, and more are at risk as freshwater flows from the Mississippi are proving incapable of fighting encroachment from the Gulf.
“Unfortunately, without any relief from the dry weather, we are starting to see the saltwater intrusion creep further up the river despite efforts to mitigate the problems by the Army Corps of Engineers,” Edwards said during a Unified Command Group meeting, noting the lack of rain the area has had. “We have been through this situation before in 1988, and we are monitoring this situation very closely and applying the lessons learned.
“The Corps is securing water barges that will support impacted water treatment facilities by transporting water collected from portions of the river that do not have salinity readings,” USACE New Orleans District Commander Col. Cullen Jones said in a Monday statement. “This water can then be combined with water at the municipal facility to create a mixture that is safe for treatment.”
Estimates show the salt water, known as a"wedge," could reach water intake facilities in Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish's largest community, by Oct. 13 and would reach New Orleans later that month. Some residents in Plaquemines Parish have already been relying on bottled water since the summer.
Brasil Últimas Notícias, Brasil Manchetes
Similar News:Você também pode ler notícias semelhantes a esta que coletamos de outras fontes de notícias.
New Orleans braces for drinking water emergency from drought-stricken Mississippi RiverLingering drought conditions have kept the Mississippi River at abnormally low levels and significantly weakened its flow, allowing salt water to creep in.
Consulte Mais informação »
New Orleans braces for drinking water emergency from drought-stricken Mississippi RiverOfficials in Louisiana are in a race against time as salt water from the Gulf of Mexico threatens drinking water supplies in New Orleans and its su...
Consulte Mais informação »
Mississippi pharmacies fall short in providing opioid-reversal drug, study showsMore than 40% of Mississippi pharmacies do not carry naloxone, a University of Mississippi study found.
Consulte Mais informação »
Mayor issues emergency declaration amid possible New Orleans water crisisNew Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has signed an emergency declaration over an intrusion of saltwater into the Mississippi River.
Consulte Mais informação »
Mayor issues emergency declaration amid possible New Orleans water crisisNew Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has signed an emergency declaration over an intrusion of saltwater into the Mississippi River.
Consulte Mais informação »