Officials in Louisiana are in a race against time as salt water from the Gulf of Mexico threatens drinking water supplies in New Orleans and its surrounding areas because of unusually low levels in the drought-addled Mississippi River.<\/p>\n
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an emergency declaration<\/a> Friday in response to concerns that salt water encroaching upriver could affect the availability of safe drinking water in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n The situation highlights the dangers of saltwater intrusion<\/a> for communities in the southeastern part of Louisiana and adds to broader concerns about climate change and the availability of safe drinking water<\/a> in drought-prone parts of the country.<\/p>\n Stephen Murphy, an assistant professor at Tulane University\u2019s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, estimated that close to 1 million people within the greater New Orleans metropolitan area could be affected if water levels in the Mississippi River remain low.<\/p>\n Though forecasts may change, it\u2019s estimated that briny water could reach water intake facilities in Belle Chasse by Oct. 13 and facilities in New Orleans later in October.<\/p>\n Around 2,000 residents in Plaquemines Parish, south of New Orleans, were already relying on bottled water this summer<\/a> after salt water infiltrated the area\u2019s water systems.<\/p>\n Excess salinity in drinking water can cause elevated sodium levels in the body, which increases blood pressure.<\/p>\n