Belle Chasse, La. - Plaquemines Parish is issuing a drinking water advisory effective immediately.
The Plaquemines Parish water systems are experiencing higher levels of sodium and chloride from a salt water wedge that is moving up the Mississippi River.
The Environmental Protection Agency classifies contaminants in two categories: primary (those that have a known health threat) and secondary (those that are not a threat to health). Chloride is considered a secondary contaminant, meaning it is not a threat to health, but it could affect the taste, odor and color of drinking water.
EPA's secondary maximum contaminant level for chloride is 250 mg/L. The highest level found in the Parish's drinking water was 362 mg/L of chloride in the Port Sulphur area. These levels will fluctuate based on the salt water wedge's movement.
EPA does not classify sodium as a primary or secondary contaminant, but individuals who are on a low-sodium diet for other health reasons such as high blood pressure or kidney diseases should pay special attention to sodium levels in their drinking water.
The Department of Health and Hospitals recommends that people receiving drinking water through systems in this parish that are on dialysis and/or low-sodium diets check with their health care providers related to the levels of chloride and sodium in their drinking water.
Plaquemines Parish is actively monitoring the situation and is investigating possible ways to lower the sodium and chloride levels.
