PLAQUEMINES PARISH, La. — The latest projections for that saltwater wedge that has been steadily moving upriver, are out.
And the Army Corps of Engineers has more positive news for many of us, but they say the concern is not completely over.
The Army Corps of Engineers is projecting that some parishes do not need to worry about saltwater threatening the drinking water for the rest of the year, and other parishes have a longer time to prepare.
The arrival time for the saltwater wedge is pushed back. In Belle Chasse, it is back two weeks to Oct. 27. In St. Bernard, it is back 11 days to Nov. 8, and in Gretna, and Algiers, and everything upriver from there, the forecast is that there will be no saltwater at dangerous levels through December.
"First, the sill is complete and it's doing much better than we anticipated. We've never tried that design before, and we're getting huge benefits. Also we're seeing an increase in the Red River. That puts a lot more water that would be going down the Atchafalaya back into the Mississippi,” explained Ricky Boyett, Chief of Public Affairs for the Army Corps of Engineers New Orleans District.
The New Orleans Sewerage and Waterboard reacted saying they are encouraged, but are still planning to move forward with blending in fresh water from upriver at the Algiers intakes. That's just to prepare for higher salinity levels, even though they will not exceed the safety level.
Now, down in Plaquemines Parish, President Keith Hinkley says the salt level at all of the water facilities, is far below the safety limit. And they are continuing the plans to keep them there.
“We can't sit back and relax. It's Mother Nature that we're dealing with. You know, we've been dealing with Mother Nature since Jun. 19, and maybe a little bit prior to that,” said Plaquemines Parish President Keith Hinkley.
Barges are in place ready to bring in fresh water and pump it into the largest facility's intakes in Belle Chasse, even though right now they are not having to use them. The reverse osmosis machines that take salt out of the water, are delivered while others are on their way. And the tie in with Orleans Parish water is finished, while the one with Jefferson Parish is being worked on.
“It's news that you can take a sigh, but you can't take a deep breath. You've got to stay focused and know that any moment, it could start trekking back up the river,” said Hinkley.
“The only thing that's going to resolve the saltwater wedge, is rain in the (Ohio River) Valley coming down the Mississippi. We still have a long way to go, but everything seems to be turning well,” said Boyett.
And in a related topic, late this afternoon the Plaquemines Port Commission and the Plaquemines Council voted unanimously to urge the Army Corps of Engineers to immediately close or place controls on the passes and crevasses upriver from the Venice jump.
The passes dilute some of the power of the flow from the river.
The Corps right now is studying bringing the Neptune Pass to its natural width, but not the Mardi Gras Pass.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.