[JasonC]

The worry over chemicals is silly, they are far too diluted to matter and if anything help by killing off some of the bacteria. No, the issue is sewage which contains bacteria that will cause dysentery at a minimum, and cholera and yellow fever at a maximum. Yellow fever was endemic in the whole delta region in the 19th century. All are controlled by proper sanitation and water treatment, and treatable when the whole medical system is functioning properly. Clearly, neither is at the moment. Evacuating people is the only short term solution, with bottled water only used in the meantime.

[kellynla]

I don't think people will exactly be running back to N'awlins soupbowl to live...
and if the government is smart they'll not go back in there either!

one terrorist flying a plane into the levee will only flood the city all over again...