WBRZ - Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE - A commission charged with managing saltwater intrusion into the aquifer serving Baton Rouge and surrounding areas has approved a plan calling for a reduction of 2 million gallons a day in the pumping of water in industrial areas of East Baton Rouge Parish by 2014.

The Advocate reports the plan by the Capital Area Ground Water Conservation Commission, described as a first step, was criticized by some as inadequate.

The work is part of the commission's larger mission of dealing with saltwater getting closer to the freshwater wells used as a source of water by the public and industry. The aquifer's 1,500-foot sand and 2,000-foot sand layers are two primary areas of concern.

Commission chairman Joey Hebert said more work is ahead to find a long-term solution.