PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. — After battling water issues and a saltwater intrusion since September, Plaquemines Parish can now safely drink their local tap water, parish officials said Wednesday.
The parish reported that the Empire Bridge to Venice areas and the Phoenix to Bohemia areas of Plaquemines Parish had consistently measured safe chloride levels since Sept. 27 and Oct. 3; respectively.
"This decision comes after thorough consultations with the Louisiana Department of Health and extensive testing of the chlorides within the drinking water advisory areas," Plaquemines Parish officials said on Wednesday. "We are pleased to announce that all test results have confirmed chloride levels are now consistently below the 250 mg/l threshold."
The eastbank of Plaquemines Parish had been perhaps hardest hit by the saltwater wedge that last month experts believed would impact one million people throughout Southeast Louisiana.
People who lived and worked in the area, who at the height of the crisis worried about how to keep businesses open and go about daily tasks amid water contamination were told on Wednesday that they could now freely use local tap water.
"Residents of Plaquemines Parish can now confidently resume the use of their tap water for all purposes, including drinking, cooking and bathing," Parish officials said. "It is indeed a moment of relief, and we want to assure everyone that (it's) currently safe to consume water in all areas of Plaquemines Parish."
Most areas in Southeast Louisiana initially expected to see drinking water advisories as a result of saltwater intrusion in October had been given good news, with the wedge either delayed until November or warnings canceled completely by the Army Corps of Engineers.
Parish officials have asked Plaquemines Parish residents to call the water infrastructure company Inframark at 504-392-4177 if they have any questions.
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