Plaquemines Calls State of Emergency as Saltwater Moves up Mississippi
August 15th, 2012Via: WWLT:
Parish President Billy Nungesser declared a state of emergency Tuesday morning due to a salt wedge that is moving up the Mississippi River and that could threaten the parish’s drinking water supply.
The wedge is currently moving north because of low levels in the Mississippi River and lack of rain in the upper regions on the U.S. The leading edge of the saltwater is approaching Belle Chasse.
The parish says that Nungesser declared a State of Emergency as a precautionary measure and to insure that a plan is in place if the need for fresh water arises.
“There is no reason to panic,” said Nungesser. “We will not run out of water. We’ll make sure we have this in place before we run out water.”
Nungesser said the state of emergency was declared because drinking water will eventually need to be transported via barge to the Port Sulphur and the east bank in southern Plaquemines Parish.
Related: Contract Awarded to Build Saltwater Barrier to Protect Mississippi River Drinking Water
