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Hurricane Katrina: Louisiana - EPA Response Update

Release Date: 9/9/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     Water sampling is a high priority in EPA's response to Hurricane Katrina.  EPA and the Centers for Disease Control released preliminary water sampling results on Wednesday (https://www.epa.gov/katrina/activities.html#sep7response), and EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (http://www.deq.state.la.us/) continue to conduct flood water sampling for chemical and biological testing in and around the New Orleans area.

     EPA and the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/) are working to assess 684 drinking water systems.  About 167 systems are producing drinking water and are no longer on boil water notices. 49 systems are operational and continue to post boil water notices.  

     Responders continue to assess the area's wastewater facilities.  Of 58 major municipal wastewater facilities, 31 are operational.  Of 118 major industrial wastewater facilities, 27 are operational.  Of 64 minor municipal facilities, 12 are operational.

     EPA's joint field operations with state officials are ongoing.  EPA and the State of Louisiana Joint Incident Management Team is operating 24 hours a day at the emergency center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  

     Preparations to set up household hazardous waste collection centers continue in St. Tammany, Jefferson, Livingston and La Fourche Parishes.  Ongoing assessment will indicate which additional parishes require household hazardous waste collection centers.  For more information on dealing with household debris in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, please visit https://www.epa.gov/katrina/activities.html#caution.

     The ASPECT aircraft continues to conduct over-flights of large industrial facilities in the area, inspecting for oil and chemical spills.