New Orleans pipeline plan to combat salt water detailed, officials confident in timeline - NOLA.com

New Orleans pipeline plan to combat salt water detailed | Environment | nola.com

New Orleans plans to build a 48-inch pipeline with pumps to power it to combat the saltwater threat to drinking water on the city's east bank, a Sewerage & Water Board official said Tuesday, expressing confidence that enough of it can be constructed ahead of the salt water's arrival that the city's water will remain safe to drink.

Steve Nelson, S&WB deputy general superintendent, spoke after Monday's deadline for bids for plans for both the east and west bank of New Orleans. The west bank requires far less water and can utilize barges instead of a pipeline.

Cost estimates for the east bank pipeline are between $150 million and $250 million, Nelson said.

The pipeline would be built in five-mile increments, with an estimated 10 to 15 pumps to move the water per segment, he said. The total length would be up to around 15 miles, stretching beyond an area in the river known as the "Kenner hump," which officials hope will stall the salt as it moves upriver.

Nelson expressed confidence that enough of the pipeline can be built ahead of the estimated Oct. 28 arrival of salt water at the intake for the city's Carrollton plant, which services the east bank. The fresh water from upriver would be used to dilute the salt at the intake.

Nelson stressed that drinking water remained safe. Residents would be notified if that changed.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.