Unusually low levels on the Mississippi River could cause salt water from the Gulf of Mexico to flood into New Orleans’ drinking water supply.
Last Friday, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an emergency decree surrounding the salt water’s potential penetration into the city’s drinking water.
According to Tulane University Professor Stephen Murphy, more than 1 million people in the New Orleans metropolitan area could be affected by the Mississippi River’s low water levels.
Salt water is estimated to reach Belle Chasse water intake facilities as soon as Oct. 13 before reaching New Orleans’ facilities later that month.
