Crisis in the Crescent City: Saltwater Intrusion in Mississippi River Threatens Drinking Water Supply in New Orleans and Triggers Emergency Protocols
New Orleans, Louisiana — In a development of environmental concern, the Mayor of New Orleans, Louisiana’s largest city, has declared a state of emergency after saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico seeped into the Mississippi River. This intrusion poses a potential threat to the region’s freshwater supplies. State officials are also contemplating a statewide emergency declaration in the coming days.
saltwater intrusion in the lower Mississippi River-Image Source: Louisiana Illuminator
The river’s water levels have dwindled for the second consecutive year. This trend is largely attributed to increasing temperatures during the summer months and declining rates of precipitation, providing saltwater with an avenue to penetrate upstream. This incursion has already begun affecting drinking water in portions of Plaquemines Parish in Southern Louisiana.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell posted on social media that she had signed an emergency declaration for New Orleans in collaboration with the state governor’s office. She assured citizens that water supplies outside of Plaquemines Parish have not been contaminated by saltwater.
UPDATE: The latest on a saltwater intrusion in the lower Mississippi River that’s threatening the drinking water of nearly 900,000 Louisiana residents. @GregLaRose reports from New Orleans. https://t.co/bnLPOlAVjG
— Louisiana Illuminator (@IlluminatorLA) September 23, 2023
Earlier, in July, Louisiana Governor John Edwards had declared a state of emergency due to record-breaking temperatures that resulted in 16 fatalities. Plaquemines Parish president Keith Hinkley revealed that potable water had been distributed to nearly 2,000 residents of the affected area where freshwater supplies had mixed with saltwater.
The situation has escalated to such an extent that military intervention is now being sought. Col. Collin Jones, commander of the engineering office in New Orleans, announced plans to extend the underwater barrier by 25 feet (approximately 7 meters), which had been erected south of the city last July to slow down the saltwater intrusion.
The crisis in Louisiana not only demands immediate attention but also shines a light on broader environmental issues such as climate change and its drastic impacts on natural resources and public safety.
