Fear spreads in New Orleans as possible saltwater intrusion threatens drinking water

[marmar]

Leading into the weekend, fear is quickly spreading amongst New Orleans residents after mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an emergency declaration for the city due to a saltwater intrusion that is threatening the local water supply.

Per reporting from various outlets, saltwater from the the Gulf of Mexico has been creeping up the drought-hit Mississippi River in Louisiana, and markets are being wiped clean of any and all bottled water as people ready themselves for the possibility that they may no longer be able to rely on water from the tap for drinking, washing or cooking.

In a feature from The Guardian, Louisiana governor, John Bel Edwards, is quoted addressing the issue, saying, "the state would be requesting an emergency declaration from the federal government in the next couple of days as well to get federal funds and agencies involved." .....................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2023/09/23/fear-spreads-in-new-orleans-as-possible-saltwater-intrusion-threatens-drinking-water/?in_brief=true

[lapfog_1]

1. some things cannot be fixed with money

at least the amount of money we might have to spend on this.

New Orleans may well become uninhabitable in the years to come due to climate change. Florida also faces this problem. I believe that salt water intrusion was at least a contributing factor in the collapse of the condo building there two years ago.

basically New Orleans will need to get their city water from upstream areas or start building large desalinization plants ( requiring massive more energy ). Katrina was a warning... rising ocean levels coupled with depletion of the coastal buffer zone coupled with rising temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico... it is only a matter of time now.

[Duppers]

4. Excellent points.

"only a matter of time"

And, unless humans change a lot of behaviors, the whole planet will be fucked.

[localroger]

2. It's not really that bad

Over the weekend we were told that if this affects New Orleans at all, it will be at least a month from now. It's more of a problem for the downriver towns of Port Sulphur, Empire, and Venice. They are already planning to barge fresh water down from upriver to maintain reasonable salinity limits in the water works. If the worst happens it just means drinking bottled water; it won't be as salty as the Gulf and the water will still be usable for bathing and cleaning.

[Kennah]

3. #ArrakisRising