PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. — Plaquemines Parish has issued drinking water advisories for the Empire to Venice area on the west bank and the Phoenix to Bohemia area on the east bank.
The initial advisory was issued for Pointe a la Hache Water System, which covers residents from Phoenix to Bohemia before following suit with the other areas.
Plaquemines Parish Government Director Patrick Harvey said on Thursday that these issues are all side effects from salt water that's inching its way up the Mississippi River.
"It could impact our Belle Chaise water treatment facility and also our Dalcour treatment facility within the next week or so and then move up on St. Bernard, Orleans and Jefferson Parishes," Director Harvey said.
Officials have said the parish water systems are experiencing higher levels of sodium and chloride from a saltwater wedge that is moving up the Mississippi River.
The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) recommends that, "people receiving drinking water through systems in this parish who are on dialysis and/or low-sodium diets check with their health care providers related to the levels of chloride and sodium in their drinking water."
People who live in the parish have said the water issues continue to stifle daily routines and business. Byron Marinovich said he's struggling to run his restaurant, Black Velvet, during the saltwater intrusion.
"You get up in the morning and turn on the water, and see if there is any water. Can we flush the toilets today?," Marinovich said. "I'm not happy to see this happen to anybody else. It's just kind of sad that it's only gotten any kind of attention just as it's starting to get into more populated areas."
Plaquemines Parish says they are working to lower the sodium and chloride levels in the water system.
Since June, bottled water is being distributed at the Buras and Boothville Venice Fire Stations. Parish officials are working on setting up a distribution site on the eastbank, and additional water distribution sites will be opened as needed.
Lower parts of Plaquemines Parish haven't had clean drinking water for months due to a saltwater wedge inching its way up the Mississippi River.
In July, the Army Corps of Engineers built an underwater sill to slow the wedge, according to spokesperson Rickey Boyett.
The Corps expects the sill to be overtopped by the end of the week and the wedge to reach Belle Chasse by Oct. 3.
If you have any questions about this advisory or concerning your water utility, please contact Inframark at (504) 392-4177.
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