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Hurricane Katrina: Louisiana - EPA Response Update

Release Date: 9/17/2005
Contact Information: For more information contact the Office of External Affairs at (214) 665-2200.

     More than 520 drinking water systems in Louisiana’s affected communities are now operational.  These systems serve more than 2,110,000 people.  Forty-three drinking water systems are operational with boil water advisories.

     Teams collected surface water samples at 22 locations in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Tammany, and Tangipahoa Parishes.  

     Responders are assessing the area’s wastewater facilities.  More than 82 percent of major municipal wastewater facilities are operational.  More than half 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 Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Charles, and St. Bernard Parishes.

     EPA and contractors have collected more than 20,700 containers of household hazardous waste/orphan containers.  Interim reentry safety guidelines have been established and 50,000 flyers will be distributed.

     Teams performed radiation surveys at 15 fixed facilities in Washington, St. Charles, Tangipahoa, Jefferson, 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.