LA Governor seeks federal emergency declaration over tainted water.
Inch by Inch, Saltwater Intrusion Threatens Drinking Water in Southern Louisiana
A crisis is unfolding in southern Louisiana as saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico slowly makes its way northward into the Mississippi River. This poses a significant threat to the region’s drinking water supply, including the city of New Orleans. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is now seeking federal assistance to address this emergency, which has proven difficult to tackle.
In a typical year, the flow of the river keeps saltwater at bay. However, due to a lack of rain, the river’s flow has decreased, allowing a dense layer of saltwater to spread northward from the Gulf of Mexico.
Governor Edwards warns that the situation may worsen in the coming weeks as historic river lows are expected. The saltwater intrusion is moving at a rate of about 1.5 miles per day, according to estimates from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Salt water from the Gulf is moving up the Mississippi River at a rate of about 1.5 miles per day due to low river water levels. Dates below are U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers estimates of when salt water could reach water treatment facilities across the Greater New Orleans area. pic.twitter.com/nNIN8SeyJw
— Brantly Keiek (@BrantlyWx) September 23, 2023
Governor Edwards plans to request an emergency declaration from the federal government to involve more federal agencies in addressing the crisis. This declaration would enable the state to take emergency protective measures and potentially receive reimbursement from the federal government.
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A state of emergency declaration was issued on Sept. 5, Fox reported.
According to Col. Cullen Jones of the Army Corps of Engineers, the key to solving the state’s problems lies in receiving 10 inches of rain to replenish the Mississippi Valley. This would provide enough water for the river to push back the saltwater intrusion.
#Drought expanded in the Midwest, Lower Mississippi Valley, Southwest and Pacific Northwest on the US #DroughtMonitor this week, while easing in Texas. States along the Gulf Coast remain in the grip of intense #flashdrought. The low #MississippiRiver is hindering navigation. pic.twitter.com/DlfyDkyCGH
— Denise Gutzmer (@DroughtDenise) September 21, 2023
According to The Guardian, the mouth of the Mississippi River is below sea level, allowing saltwater to move upriver beneath the fresh water. An underwater barrier was constructed to prevent saltwater intrusion, but it has been breached.
Col. Jones predicts that the threat of saltwater will persist for several weeks to a couple of months, based on weather forecasts. The Army Corps of Engineers plans to deliver 15 million gallons of fresh water to the affected areas, but this falls short of the 36 million gallons of water consumed daily by communities facing the risk of saltwater contamination.
Plaquemines Parish citrus farms worry that the salt water creeping up the Mississippi River will destroy their crops either from the water’s salinity or the chemicals used to treat the contaminated water.
They just experienced one of the worst droughts recorded in LA@FOX8NOLA pic.twitter.com/14r9ZtrM6K
— Andrés Fuentes (@news_fuentes) September 22, 2023
Plaquemines Parish, located in the southeastern part of Louisiana, is already under a drinking water advisory due to the saltwater intrusion. Bottled water is being distributed to residents in the area.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has also declared a state of emergency in preparation for the arrival of the saltwater intrusion.
The post Louisiana Gov to Ask for Federal Emergency Declaration After Contamination of Drinking Water appeared first on The Western Journal.
How does the potential contamination of the region’s drinking water supply by saltwater intrusion pose a health risk to the population of southern Louisiana?
Inch by inch, the threat of saltwater intrusion in southern Louisiana is becoming a significant concern for the region’s drinking water supply. Governor John Bel Edwards has reached out to the federal government for assistance in addressing this emergency, which has proven to be a challenging problem to tackle.
Under normal circumstances, the flow of the Mississippi River prevents saltwater from infiltrating inland. However, due to a lack of rainfall, the river’s flow has decreased, allowing a dense layer of saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico to spread northward.
According to estimates from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the saltwater intrusion is moving at a rate of about 1.5 miles per day. Governor Edwards warns that the situation may worsen in the coming weeks as historically low river levels are expected.
To combat this crisis, Governor Edwards plans to request an emergency declaration from the federal government. This declaration would involve more federal agencies in addressing the situation and potentially provide reimbursement from the federal government for emergency protective measures taken by the state.
The seriousness of this issue is highlighted by the potential impact on the drinking water supply of the Greater New Orleans area. If the saltwater intrusion reaches water treatment facilities, it could potentially contaminate the drinking water and pose a health risk to the population.
To gauge public opinion on whether or not a federal emergency should be declared, a poll has been conducted. People are asked to vote “yes” or “no” on whether Joe Biden should declare a federal emergency. It’s important to note that completing the poll entitles participants to receive news updates from The Western Journal, with the option to opt out at any time. Participants also agree to the website’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
The state of Louisiana is facing a critical situation that requires immediate attention and action. The potential loss of safe drinking water for the region, including the major city of New Orleans, underscores the urgency of the matter. With federal assistance and cooperation, we can hope to mitigate the threat posed by saltwater intrusion and protect the health and well-being of the people of southern Louisiana.
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