"Louisiana's Battle Against Saltwater Intrusion: Protecting New Orleans and Drinking Water"

The Mississippi River is facing a saltwater intrusion problem as a surge of Gulf of Mexico saltwater creeps up the river, causing concerns for water supply and coastal erosion. The low-water river weakened by drought cannot keep the ocean water at bay, leading to compromised water plants, health concerns, and worries about the long-term effects on agriculture and fishing. Efforts are being made by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Louisiana officials to combat the saltwater incursion, including installing reverse-osmosis filters and running new pipes to bring fresher water into New Orleans. While the threat to municipal drinking water has slowed, uncertainties remain about when the river will see enough freshwater to push the saltwater back to sea.