Greater New Orleans in Louisiana consists of three parishes: Orleans Parish, Jefferson Parish and St. Bernard Parish. They are almost completely surrounded by water: Lake Pontchartrain to the north, the Mississippi River to the south, Lake Borgne to the east and wetlands to both the east and west. These wet borders and the fact that a large part of New Orleans lies below sea level create major flooding and drainage problems. Due to the bowl-like shape of these parishes, almost all rain that falls in the area, and seepage that rises, can only be drained off with extensive pumping systems or by evaporation. This drainage system, together with the wastewater system and the drinking water network, plays a crucial role in groundwater drainage and recharge.
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