New Orleans declares state of emergency as saltwater creeps up drought-stricken Mississippi river and threatens drinking water for nearly 900,000 residents

A saltwater intrusion into the water supply pumped from the Mississippi River is threatening the drinking water of nearly 900,000 Louisiana residents.

Water with high salinity can pose serious health risks to humans if ingested, and if contaminated, it could take months for fresh water to return as long as the drought continues.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell declared a state of emergency Friday due to saltwater intrusion, in coordination with the governor’s office.

“Unfortunately, we have not yet had the relief from dry conditions that we need,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said at a news conference Friday in New Orleans.

Many concerned households and entrepreneurs say they fear for their health. Some claim they have had enough and want to move.

New Orleans declares a state of emergency due to saltwater intrusion into the Mississippi River and threatening drinking water

Mayor LaToya Cantrell (pictured) signed an emergency declaration for the city of New Orleans on Friday, in accordance with the governor’s office

Governor Edwards provided an update on saltwater intrusion during a press conference, along with state and local leaders, emergency officials and representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

“You will stop drinking the water because it doesn’t taste good long before it becomes a hazard to your health,” said Dr. Joseph Kanter, state medical officer, at the press conference.

The governor requested a federal emergency declaration to authorize immediate protective measures.

The wedge is the result of historically low rainfall at the base of the Mississippi. Freshwater typically flows downstream to push back saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico, but the lack of freshwater has disrupted this system.

According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the saltwater wedge traveled nearly 15 miles upstream in just seven days.

Municipalities in southeastern Louisiana, including New Orleans, all get their drinking water from the river.

The salt water was above the sill Wednesday, according to Col. Cullen Jones, commander of the corps’ New Orleans District. The height is expected to increase by 1.5 meters below the river surface over the next three weeks.

According to Jones, this could slow the movement of the salt water up the river for ten to fifteen days.

Millions of liters of water will be supplied per day to water vessel treatment plants.

The governor is urging households not to panic when purchasing bottled water and asking businesses to increase supplies to keep shelves full.

Belle Chasse is expected to be hit first, with saltwater intrusion on October 13, followed by Dalcour on October 15, St. Bernard on October 19 and New Orleans/Algiers on October 22.

The wedge was the result of historically low rainfall at the base of the Mississippi. Freshwater typically flows downstream to push back saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico, but the lack of freshwater has disrupted this system

‘We are ready to move. We’re ready to get out of here. My wife is doing some shopping today. Everyone wants to leave,” Byron Marinovich, owner of Black Velvet seafood restaurant, told Fox8

The Ministry of Health has announced that sodium chlorine levels have exceeded the safe consumption threshold of 250 mg/l in some areas.

Populations at highest risk are those on a low-sodium diet, pregnant women and infants.

Commander Jones provided a saltwater progress timeline for the potential impacts:

Belle Chasse is expected to be hit first, with saltwater intrusion on October 13, followed by Dalcour on October 15, St. Bernard on October 19 and New Orleans/Algiers on October 22.

The Gretna is expected to be attacked on October 24, followed by West Jefferson on October 25, New Orleans/Carrollton on October 28, and East Jefferson on October 29.

In July, Edwards declared a state of emergency for Plaquemines Parish due to the saltwater problem.

Many locals are fed up and say they have had enough after struggling with basic everyday tasks such as cooking, bathing and cleaning.

‘We are ready to move. We’re ready to get out of here. My wife is doing some shopping today. Everyone wants to leave,” Byron Marinovich, owner of Black Velvet seafood restaurant, told Fox8.

‘You can’t live like this. We have enough problems with internet, email and other things and now they can’t keep up with basic services like water?’

He told the outlet that saltwater intrusion is not a new problem for the area.

“We had someone complaining of a rash,” he said. ‘People who come in with their hair standing on end from the salt water and have to bathe in it. It’s very bad.’

‘We buy about 150 kilos of ice cream per day. It was really difficult to make coffee, lemonade and tea,” he added.