Governor hosts press conference RE: Saltwater Intrusion

Governor John Bel Edwards held a press conference on Friday, Sept. 22 and was accompanied by Colonel Jones from the U.S. Army Corps and Dr. Joseph Kantor of the Louisiana Dept. of Health, who provided the following information. 

Here are the take aways from the press conference.

Saltwater Intrusion and Its Impact:

• Governor Edwards provided an update on the saltwater intrusion in the Mississippi River on September 22, accompanied by officials from various agencies.
• The situation is due to prolonged drought conditions and has added to a series of challenges in the state, including wildfires, heat-related deaths, and saltwater intrusion.
• The intrusion is projected to persist for an extended period and is worsening, reaching further upriver.
• Lower Plaquemines Parish has been experiencing the issue since early summer, leading to emergency declarations at the state and federal levels.

Response and Assistance:

• The federal declaration will offer a 75% reimbursement for water-related expenses and involve resources from the EPA and US Department of Transportation.

Water Supply and Conservation:

• Ensuring an adequate drinking water supply is a top priority.
• Residents are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and not to panic. Accurate information is available on the GOSHEP emergency website.
• Efforts are underway to augment the underwater sill to raise it to 25 feet, with benefits expected in various areas in October.
• Barging water, up to 15 million gallons a week, will help reduce salt levels in the municipal water supply.
• There's a plan to transport 36 million gallons per day from Bootheville to Gretna.
• Residents are urged not to hoard bottled water, as there is no shortage in the state or the country. Companies are being asked to stock up instead.
• Conservation measures, such as avoiding activities like lawn watering, are encouraged.

Water Quality Concerns:

• Mayor Cantrell of New Orleans signed an emergency declaration.
• Water taste deterioration may precede health concerns.
• Special precautions are advised for individuals with high blood pressure, pregnant women in their third trimester, and infants consuming formula mixed with water due to varying water system conditions, including lead pipes in New Orleans and PVC pipes downstream.

Lead Pipe Identification and Mitigation:

• New Orleans Sewerage and Water has been proactive in addressing lead pipes in the city, identifying over 50,000 of them in response to EPA decrees for aging infrastructure.
• Colonel Jones mentioned collaboration with NOSWB on mitigation methods, including piping water into the system via systems north of Kenner.