NOLA Plumbing Services Companies Weigh in on New Orleans Saltwater Intrusion

Local NOLA Plumbing companies weigh in on the growing New Orleans saltwater intrusion problem, and how it can seriously affect the drinking water in the area.

New Orleans, United States - January 8, 2024 /PressCable/ —

Concern is increasing in New Orleans as salty water gains slowly creep up the Mississippi toward the city, with local plumbing repair companies like National Economy Plumbers weighing in on the situation alongside state representatives such as Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, who submitted a request to President Biden to approve a federal emergency declaration in response to the crisis.

“This major American city, because of this saltwater intrusion, may pay the price with unsafe drinking water, and few options are available to mitigate the trouble it will cause,” explains David Howard of National Economy Plumbers, a NOLA-based plumbing company boasting more than 80 years of experience in the residential and commercial plumbing services sectors. “Many communities in southeastern Louisiana draw their drinking water from the Mississippi, but a drought to our north means low river levels; what’s more, the flow of fresh water usually provides enough pressure to keep the salt in the Gulf of Mexico, but as the river level drops, so does the pressure - allowing the salt to head north.”

For more information visit https://nationaleconomyplumber.com/service-areas/

According to information garnered by Howard’s team at National Economy, the Army Corps of Engineers are only capable of slowing the intrusion, not stopping it, a fact that reflects the last time salt reached metro NOLA in 1988, when the wedge reached Kenner. Water with high salinity, says Howard, isn’t good for people, pets, crops or infrastructure, and it’s challenging to get salt out of water in a home.

“Boiling, in these situations, doesn’t work, and reverse osmosis filters, while capable of removing salt, are pricey,” he adds.

With salt being corrosive and capable of damaging pipes - while possibly contaminating water supplies by dissolving heavy metals such as lead - New Orleans is in the midst of conducting an inventory of its lead pipes, considering the fact that PVC pipes are more resistant to corrosion than older lead pipes more common in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

“What we do know is that the Army Corps is shipping in millions of gallons of fresh water to dilute the salt at water treatment plant intakes and that Mayor LaToya Cantrell signed an emergency declaration, freeing up more resources,” notes Howard. “What we don’t know, unfortunately, begins with estimated impact dates - these can shift with weather forecasts, and as such, we also don’t know when this threat will be over because it wholly depends on rainfall north of Louisiana, primarily in the Ohio River Valley.

“Forecasters expect a wetter-than-average winter as we move from the holiday season into 2024, but we don’t know how much salinity will make it into New Orleans’ water infrastructure. Because we don’t know all of that, it’s also hard for us to tell our own customers what to expect at home with their pipes and appliances.”

New Orleans plumbing experts like Howard have been talking with local government representatives about how residents can protect their families and property, covering such topics as asking businesses to stock more bottled water and advising people not to use municipal water unless it’s absolutely necessary.

National Economy Plumbers services the New Orleans neighborhoods of Metairie, Kenner, Merrero, Chalmette and Terrytown with comprehensive plumber solutions in the areas of general plumbing services, sewer camera inspection, water heater repair, sewer line repair, general plumbing repair, drain cleaning, sewer repair, sewer line replacement and gas line repair. The business is located at 7204 Washington Avenue in New Orleans, LA. 70125 and can be reached by calling (504) 322-3950. For more information visit the above cited website.

Contact Info:
Name: David Howard
Email: Send Email
Organization: National Economy Plumbers
Address: 7204 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70125, United States
Phone: +1-504-322-3950
Website: https://nationaleconomyplumber.com/

Source: PressCable

Release ID: 89118190

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