Crews are fast at work to run pipelines up the banks of the Mississippi River to literally stay ahead of salty gulf water creeping up the river channel.
Federal approval for parts of the project have already happened, and New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell says more is happening.
"The contractual, the procurement process has started, in short order will be completed," the mayor said. "The sewerage water board is moving forward with procurement in regards to contractors."
Cantrell says the Sewerage and Water Board is moving forward with plans to run a pipeline up river towards Kenner, and a similar plan is in the works for Jefferson.
"Now we're going to work in close coordination with the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board on the eastbank because we're laying it in the same area," said Jefferson Parish President Cynthia Lee Sheng. "It will be right next to one another."
Sheng says plans to share pipeline with New Orleans were shelved, since the two system have different needs -- mainly, the New Orleans system needs far more water. While Jefferson is using what looks like essentially large fire hoses, New Orleans is looking to run a four-foot diameter pipe upriver.
USACE
