US Army Corps of Engineers to Protect Drinking Water Supply in Louisiana
CNN
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In an effort to safeguard the drinking water supply in the New Orleans area, the US Army Corps of Engineers has devised a plan to introduce 36 million gallons of fresh water each day into the lower Mississippi River. This action is necessary as the region faces the imminent threat of saltwater intrusion from the Gulf of Mexico in October.
This initiative comes as water levels in the Mississippi River decline for the second consecutive year due to extreme drought conditions caused by a combination of scorching heat and limited rainfall in the central US during the summer months.
Threat of Saltwater Intrusion and Mitigation Measures
The drop in water levels heightens the risk of saltwater intrusion in Louisiana as ocean water moves northward, unhindered by the normal flow rate of the Mississippi River. The city of New Orleans anticipates feeling the effects of saltwater intrusion by late October.
To combat this problem, the state and the Army Corps of Engineers are collaborating on a project to raise the height of an underwater levee in the Mississippi River. This levee, constructed in July, aims to slow down the progress of saltwater intrusion. The addition of 25 feet to the levee will provide a delay of 10 to 15 days against saltwater intrusion.
Augmenting Water Supply and Emergency Measures
In addition to the underwater levee, the Army Corps of Engineers plans to transport millions of gallons of water per day to local water treatment facilities. This measure will aid in mitigating the problem of saltwater intrusion.
The need for these initiatives was announced by the Army Corps of Engineers last year. The construction of the levee involved dredging sediment from the river and creating a dam-like structure known as a sill to impede the progress of saltwater in the lower levels of the river.
Typically, sufficient rainfall upstream helps to alleviate drought conditions and prevents saltwater intrusion. However, officials do not expect significant precipitation along the Mississippi River in the near future to improve the situation.
Immediate Actions and Additional Support
The Army Corps of Engineers estimates that it will take approximately 24 days to complete the augmentation of the sill. In the meantime, 15 million gallons of freshwater will be delivered as early as next week, and the area will require 36 million gallons per day to address the problem effectively.
The freshwater will be mixed with the existing water at treatment centers to ensure it is safe for consumption. Additionally, the governor of Louisiana has announced plans to distribute bottled water in bulk to the New Orleans area.
An emergency declaration has been signed by the mayor of New Orleans, allowing city agencies to prepare and respond to any impacts from saltwater intrusion. This declaration also enables state and federal agencies to provide necessary resources more efficiently.
Efforts are already underway to provide clean water to the residents affected by saltwater intrusion, and there is currently no need to purchase large quantities of bottled water.
Read More of this Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-09-24 18:10:00
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