New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has signed an emergency declaration in response to concerns that salt water from the Gulf of Mexico could affect the availability of safe drinking water in the coming weeks. The situation highlights the dangers of saltwater intrusion for communities in the southeastern part of Louisiana and adds to broader concerns about climate change and the availability of safe drinking water in drought-prone parts of the country. Stephen Murphy, an assistant professor at Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, estimated that close to 1 million people within the greater New Orleans metropolitan area could be affected if water levels in the Mississippi River remain low.
Lingering drought conditions have kept the Mississippi River at abnormally low levels and significantly weakened its flow, adding to the situation. The area’s unique topography has aggravated the situation. Scientists have said saltwater intrusion in the Lower Mississippi River region becomes an issue when the river’s flow falls below 300,000 cubic feet per second. As of last week, the flow stood at 148,000 cubic feet per second.
Salty water could reach intake facilities in Belle Chasse by October 13 and facilities in New Orleans later in October. Around 2,000 residents in Plaquemines Parish, south of New Orleans, were already relying on bottled water this summer after salt water infiltrated the area’s water systems. Excess salinity in drinking water can cause elevated sodium levels in the body, which increases blood pressure.
