Louisiana's Battle Against Storms, Rising Seas, and Salty Drinking Water

Lower Louisiana, particularly Plaquemines Parish, is facing a drinking water crisis due to a combination of drought, climate change, and saltwater intrusion. Droughts in the Midwest have weakened the Mississippi River, allowing saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico to contaminate the water supply. The situation became urgent when forecasts showed that the saltwater could reach treatment plants in New Orleans, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of people. This crisis highlights the growing concern of climate change exacerbating extreme weather events and threatening safe drinking water across America. The region has experienced a drinking water crisis for the second year in a row, and experts predict more frequent intrusions as climate change continues. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been dredging parts of the Mississippi to accommodate cargo ships, which could make saltwater intrusions more likely. While New Orleans has found temporary relief, communities south of the city continue to face water quality concerns and distrust the tap water. The cost of upgrading municipal water treatment facilities to handle extra salinity is estimated to be around $200 million.