An influx of salt water in the Mississippi River, which supplies drinking water to southeastern Louisiana, is once again causing concern. For the third consecutive year, efforts are underway to construct an underwater levee to impede the encroachment of brackish water and safeguard water intake treatment facilities.
Salt water intrusion in this region has become a recurring issue due to the reduced flow of the Mississippi River under dry conditions. The communities in southeastern Louisiana rely on the river's volume and current to push salt water from the Gulf of Mexico back out to sea.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness are actively monitoring the situation. Construction of a sill across the river bed in Myrtle Grove has commenced to slow or halt the salt water intrusion. The sill, built with river sand, is expected to be completed by October.
Similar sills have been utilized in the area in previous years, including 1988, 2012, 2022, and 2023. While there are currently no immediate threats to drinking water, additional precautions such as using barges to transport fresh water downstream or issuing boil advisories may be considered if necessary.
Rainfall, particularly in the Ohio Valley, plays a crucial role in determining the progression of salt water intrusion. Many communities in south Louisiana rely on the fresh water of the Mississippi River, with their water intake treatment facilities situated along the river.
Last year, residents in parts of Plaquemines Parish had to rely on bottled water for months due to salt water intrusion. Some communities have since installed reverse osmosis machines to desalinate water. In 2023, the salt water issue extended closer to New Orleans, prompting President Joe Biden to declare a state of emergency and provide federal assistance.
While the current situation has not escalated to the level of last year, officials remain prepared to take action if needed. Barges are on standby to transport fresh water to treatment facilities for dilution if the saltiness reaches unsafe levels.
Despite the challenges posed by salt water intrusion, officials are optimistic that the measures being taken will help mitigate the impact and protect the drinking water supply in southeastern Louisiana.
