Tick tock

For those of us reaching a certain age, the idea of bending all of reality to run on Sewerage and Water Board time does sound nice.  But I don't think it works that way.

NEW ORLEANS — According to the latest projections, Orleans and Jefferson Parish water intakes on the Mississippi are expected to have saltwater impacts by mid to late October. 

The saltwater wedge that now threatens the drinking water supply for nearly a million residents has reached Jesuit Bend about 20 miles south of New Orleans. 

Area leaders say a 10 to 12-mile-long pipeline will be needed to deliver fresh water from upstream, north of Kenner. 

“To be able to end up with an intake at that location and pump and pipe that downstream into our intakes and as well as Jefferson Parish’s does remain our most viable option,” SWBNO Deputy Superintendent Steve Nelson told the city council on Wednesday. 

 It is expected to cost up to $200 million to build the pipeline. 

 But as of Friday GOHSEP, the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness had not received a detailed pipeline plan or a formal request for state funding from the Sewerage and Water Board. 

According to the Army Corps of Engineers, city leaders also still haven’t applied for the necessary environmental permits to build the pipeline. 

Look, I get it. I hate deadlines too.  Never been one to meet most of the ones that applied to me alone.  But when it affects hundreds of thousands of other people... 

 Update: The two minute offense is cranking up! 

NEW ORLEANS — The governor's office has received and approved a plan to combat the saltwater intrusion in Southeast Louisiana, state officials said on Saturday. 

More details on the specifics of the plan, approved Friday night, are expected to be released by officials by the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans as the project moves forward. 

"The corps and the state received their proposed solution and didn't have any issues with SWBNO pursuing the procurement process," Officials in the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness told Eyewitness News on Saturday.  

However, the plan still requires the USACE to sign off on the environmental permits. 

 Plenty time left?