I am based in the UK so please forgive me if I am being naive but in watching, on TV, the developments in New Orleans, I have a question which I would be grateful if some good soul would answer.

We are being told, over and over again, that the water being pumped out of New Orleans is contaminated with oil , chemicals, and other unpleasant substances, yet it is being pumped INTO Lake Ponchetrain.

Is this likely to create another environmental issue or is the lake already so polluted that its waters are partially responsible for the New Orleans problems?