All News Releases By Date

Hurricane Katrina: Louisiana - EPA Response Update

Release Date: 9/18/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     An EPA Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) unit conducted air sampling in St. Bernard Parish where residents were being allowed to return.

     More than 520 drinking water systems are now operational.  These systems serve more than 2,114,000 people.  Twenty-six drinking water systems are operational with boil water advisories.  

     Teams collected 15 water samples in Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes.  Teams collected 7 outfall water samples at locations in Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes. Water quality samples for fecal coliform were also collected by LDEQ.

     Responders are assessing the area's wastewater facilities.  More than 82 percent of major municipal wastewater facilities are operational.  More than 54 percent of the area's major industrial wastewater facilities are operational.  More than 59 percent of minor municipal facilities are operational.

     Sediment sampling continues; teams collected sediment samples at 20 locations in St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes.

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