Midwestern droughts have reduced the flow of the Mississippi. Groundwater depletion has caused coastal land to sink below sea level. Sea-temperature increases raised the sea level in the Gulf. The result: rising ocean waters are out-competing the Mississippi flow, pushing up the riverbed, and will reach New Orleans’ water treatment plant. The city’s water supply will be undrinkable, while the salt leaches poisons out of lead pipes. They have one month.

We did this. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/09/29/climate/new-orleans-saltwater-map.html?unlocked_article_code=YY1Ts4O8PDO2TJgPZYi6Tldxm_uNeKHVvgkg4EgPZmqT4AIKqK7EMYfP3LFe8RlVhSfU8mpQK75rHcnO2Ox59Lh05bgzthiJxc73KZqvQ9bJmSIMPEWOxFuAtwqukSYV0BfzL9JQrhrd6XcwQTCudtCWFwvxKfcjU1ZqEaNS9S_71QVaQ1zkdCsp7W5wZgXlJs-fyw_ZrF8HZUbLGsUL_bV8eWANJDBKOhZu4adbPjbyrVfrF91XtjEPjBABQPHd4eQGKOm-l5i2jam7pF6XnLOGPKcq3Pr7dA81OEbDs-L4o533ERGdU2XtTXAKVqULiIxb2gm94xFRCud-sCrTwfRtD6OmhBWVyHYvvoRTBWmtUA&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Map: When Will the Saltwater Wedge Reach New Orleans?

The drought-stricken Mississippi River can no longer hold back the saltwater creeping upstream, contaminating drinking water.

The New York Times
@waldoj No. Nooohooho. You can't be serious. Does this mean that the drinking water supply for… how many people? Half a million? One? Is at stake? Right? Now?
Edit: WTF? No offense. I'm not doubting the facts.
I'm just like… Holy F. Shit, this is a dystopian nightmare even Hollywood would deny as too messed up.
We answer your questions about the saltwater wedge in the Mississippi River

As salt water moves up the Mississippi River from the Gulf of Mexico, residents across the greater New Orleans area have been left with many questions.

WWNO