Freshwater in the Mississippi River, which courses through 10 states, is a source of drinking water for many Louisiana communities. The water will be mixed with river water at the intake points of water treatment plants to reduce overall salinity, said Mike Steele, a spokesman for the Louisiana Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. For the smaller west bank plant, Nelson said the Corps has told the board it can deliver by barge enough dilution water. Elevated salinity levels in the Mississippi are expected to reach the west bank plant around Oct. 22, and the east bank plant six days later. The Mississippi River has careened between floods and low-water levels in recent years.

Source: Wall Street Journal September 29, 2023 14:11 UTC