But that's 11 to 12 miles upriver of where it normally is in summer. Navoy said a well field near Pennsauken, N.J., which serves much of suburban Trenton, could be affected if the salt front moves further upriver. If groundwater levels in that well field fall below mean sea level and river water is salty, the salt can contaminate the underground water. In addition to its bad taste, salt water can be a serious health hazard for people on salt-restricted diets. Salt causes the human body to retain water, making the heart work harder and increasing blood pressure.
Salt water can also corrode underwater equipment and cause freshwater organisms to move or die off.
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