The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans says it is preparing for potential impacts of the "salt wedge" creeping up the bed of the Mississippi River.
The wedge occurs when denser salt water from the Gulf of Mexico moves up river along the bottom of the river's channel, underneath the fresh water, which floats above it. It happens when the river's flow slows in times of drought.
"The health and safety of our customers informs every decision we make at SWBNO," said Ghassan Korban, Executive Director of the Sewerage and Water Board. "We will use all resources at our disposal to both protect residents and communicate our plans to respond during this unprecedented situation."
SWBNO is urging customers to sign up for NOLA Ready text alerts, for notifications if the salt wedge poses a threat to the system's supply of fresh water. Residents can sign up for alerts by texting NOLAREADY to 77295.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is increasing the height of the sill, or underwater barrier, that it built in July.
