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Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
October 2005
EPA Regional Information
EPA Region 4 (for Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi)
EPA Region 6 (for Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas)
Wednesday, October 26
Tuesday, October 18
Tuesday, October 11
EPA Response Activity - October 26
EPA emergency response personnel are working in partnership with FEMA to help assess and clean up from the Hurricanes. In emergency situations such as this, under the National Response Plan, EPA serves as the primary agency for coordinating the federal response to releases of oil and hazardous materials. Our national and regional Emergency Operations Centers are activated to support EPA’s field response.
Headquarters
Fuel Waivers
- On 10/20, EPA issued a third emergency waiver through 10/31, of the requirements for low RVP in gasoline sold in California.
- On 10/24, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur diesel fuel requirement for Florida. This waiver takes effect on 10/26, upon expiration of an 10/4 diesel fuel waiver that applies in a number of East and Gulf Coast states, including the State of Florida.
- On 10/24, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirement, through 11/13, for Iowa and Nebraska.
- On 10/25, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirement, through 11/14, for Kentucky. The waiver takes effect on 10/26, when the previous highway diesel waiver expires in Kentucky.
- On 10/25, EPA issued an emergency waiver of the low-sulfur highway diesel fuel requirement, through 11/14, for Mississippi. The waiver takes effect on 10/26, when the previous highway diesel waiver expires in Mississippi.
In The Field
Wilma - EPA has deployed staff to the FEMA Regional Response Coordination Center in Atlanta, the Florida Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee, and the FEMA National Response Coordination Center in Washington. At the request of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, EPA has arranged to provide aerial reconnaissance for the west and east coasts of Florida. EPA has also deployed staff to identify the immediate water utility needs at four Seminole Reservations and one Miccosukee Reservation.
Outreach
Media Briefing – On 10/21, EPA announced test results from water samples collected by the agency’s Ocean Survey Vessel, “The Bold”. Also participating to discuss the large-scale, collaborative multi-agency effort of monitoring waters in and around the Gulf were NOAA, FDA, DOI and LDEQ. EPA’s data showed that the water from river channels and nearshore waters surrounding the Mississippi Delta was appropriate for primary contact recreation-- including swimming. However, the agency cautioned that the data should not be used to judge the safety of consuming raw or undercooked mollusks such as oysters.
Focus on Children : As a part of Children’s Health Month and the agency’s ongoing efforts to help the Gulf States recover, EPA has posted an extensive set of questions and answers entitled "Environmental Risks to Children's Health: Hurricane and Flood Disasters" to provide guidance to parents and caregivers returning to the region. The Qs and As cover such topics as safe water; safe food; carbon monoxide; mold; asthma; clean up, toys, debris, demolition and rebuilding; chemicals; pests and pest control; and air pollution. https://www.epa.gov/katrina/faqs.htm#Children
Informational PSAs and Handouts - In the agency’s ongoing outreach efforts to the impacted region, EPA distributed and posted additional handouts and public service announcements (PSA) in Vietnamese and Spanish cautioning about environmental hazards for returning residents. For handouts visit: https://www.epa.gov/katrina/outreach/handouts.html For PSAs visit: https://www.epa.gov/katrina/outreach/psa.html
Air Monitoring – EPA has collected air samples at burn sites in Region 4 and Region 6. On 10/25, EPA conducted emissions measurements of the air curtain destructor (ACD) evaluation operations in New Orleans. The ACD blows hot air over a burn site for a faster, cleaner burn. For information on air data released by EPA, visit https://www.epa.gov/katrina/testresults/air/index.html
National Priorities List (NPL) Sites – Initial assessments have been performed on the 54 NPL sites in the affected areas of LA, MS, AL, and TX. EPA is still in the assessment phase, and continues to monitor all the impacted NPL sites.
Drinking Water Assessment –In LA, there are a total of 1591 drinking water facilities that served approximately 5 million people. As of 10/25, EPA has determined that 1471 of these facilities are operational, 40 are operating on a boil water notice, 76 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 4. In MS, there are a total of 1,367 drinking water facilities that served approximately 3.1 million people. EPA has determined that 1,298 of these facilities are operational, 43 are operating on a boil water notice and 25 are inoperable. In TX, there are a total of 1057 drinking water facilities that served approximately 4 million people. EPA has determined that 795 are operational, 186 are operating on a boil water notice, 3 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 73. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA’s Water program is continuing to assess drinking water plants in the affected area.
Wastewater -- In LA, there are a total of 317 Public Owned Treatment Works (POTW). As of 10/25, EPA has determined that 300 of these facilities are operational, 13 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 4. In MS, AL, and TX, all the facilities are operational. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA’s Water program continues to assess wastewater treatment plants in the affected area. (Note: POTW numbers are reported based on utilization of FEMA disaster designation.)
Debris Assessment and Collection – Informational flyers on debris collection continue to be distributed by EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality in residential neighborhoods. Collection activities continue for household hazardous wastes (HHW) and orphan containers. As of 10/25, EPA has collected over 460,000 HHW/orphan containers throughout the affected region. In addition, EPA personnel continue to offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm.
EPA Response Activity - October 18
In The Field
- Outreach
- Informational Flyers - EPA has posted informational flyers in English and Spanish that are being distributed to residents returning home in the affected Gulf Coast region. As of 10/17, over 370,000 flyers have been distributed in Louisiana on the topics of drinking water, household hazardous waste, mold, and potential environmental and health hazards upon returning. Vietnamese translations are being released later this week. https://www.epa.gov/katrina/outreach/handouts.html
- Enviromapper - EPA has posted a new tool to display test results from floodwater and sediment sampling in Louisiana . Air monitoring and ambient water data will be added as they become available. The EnviroMapper for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita combines interactive maps and aerial photography to help zoom into sites or areas of interest. Data from other states will be added as it becomes available. https://www.epa.gov/enviro/katrina/emkatrina.html
- Public Service Announcements (PSAs) - EPA has contacted over 900 radio stations in the impacted states to offer public service announcements highlighting a wide range of potential environmental and health hazards for returning residents. https://www.epa.gov/katrina/outreach/psa.html
OSV Bold - EPA’s ocean survey vessel Bold has been serving as a mother ship and laboratory for a multi-agency (NOAA, USGS, FDA, LDEQ) sampling effort in Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Borgne , the Mississippi Sound, and the Gulf of Mexico . The science teams were collecting samples using the Bold and small boats at inshore and coastal locations. The water, sediment, and fish tissue samples that were collected will be analyzed for a variety of pathogens and pollutants.
National Priorities List (NPL) Sites - Initial assessments have been performed on the 54 NPL sites in the affected areas of LA, MS, AL, and TX. EPA is still in the assessment phase, and continues to monitor all the impacted NPL sites.
Drinking Water Assessment - In LA, there are a total of 1591 drinking water facilities that served approximately 5 million people. As of 10/16, EPA has determined that 1382 of these facilities are operational, 67 are operating on a boil water notice, 121 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 21. In MS, there are a total of 1,367 drinking water facilities that served approximately 3.1 million people. EPA has determined that 1,270 of these facilities are operational, 64 are operating on a boil water notice and 33 are inoperable. In TX, there are a total of 1054 drinking water facilities that served approximately 4 million people. EPA has determined that 476 are operational, 139 are operating on a boil water notice, 135 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 304. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA’s Water program is continuing to assess drinking water plants in the affected area.
Wastewater - In LA, there are a total of 317 Public Owned Treatment Works (POTW). As of 10/16, EPA has determined that 295 of these facilities are operational, 14 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 8. In MS, there are a total of 329 POTW, all of which are operational. In AL , there are a total of 84 facilities with one not operating. In TX, there are a total of 70 POTW. EPA has determined that 65 are operational, 4 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 1. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA’s Water program continues to assess wastewater treatment plants in the affected area. (Note: POTW numbers are reported based on utilization of FEMA disaster designation.)
Debris Assessment and Collection - Informational flyers on debris collection continue to be distributed by EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality in residential neighborhoods. Collection activities continue for household hazardous wastes (HHW) and orphan containers. As of 10/16, EPA has collected over 193,000 HHW/orphan containers throughout the affected region. In addition, EPA personnel continue to offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm.
EPA Response Activity - October 11
In The Field
Sampling - EPA’s ocean water testing vessel, OSV Bold, is currently docked at the Mississippi State Docks in Gulfport serving as a Mother ship and laboratory for a multi-agency small boat sampling effort. The science team is actively collecting samples using small boats at stations located inshore in the Mississippi sound area. Sampling stations were located in the proximity of Gulfport extending both east and west in the directions of Alabama and Louisiana . The full suite of National Coastal Assessment samples were collected at all sites visited. In the New Orleans area, sampling of surface, outfall, and flood water, and sediment samples continues.
Outreach - EPA is translating into Spanish and Vietnamese public service announcements warning of potential environmental health hazards to residents returning to hurricane impacted areas. Topics include leaking natural gas lines; carbon monoxide poisoning from using un-vented fuel-burning equipment indoors; toxic fumes from household cleaners and disinfectants; airborne asbestos and lead dust; hazardous waste; and contaminated flood water. https://www.epa.gov/katrina/outreach/psa.html
National Priorities List (NPL) - A summary of the assessment activity for NPL sites in the paths of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita is posted at https://www.epa.gov/katrina/superfund.html
Drinking Water Assessment -In LA, there are a total of 1591 drinking water facilities that served approximately 5 million people. As of 10/10, EPA has determined that 1382 of these facilities are operational, 67 are operating on a boil water notice, 121 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 21. In MS, there are a total of 1,367 drinking water facilities that served approximately 3.1 million people. EPA has determined that 1,270 of these facilities are operational, 64 are operating on a boil water notice and 33 are inoperable. In TX, there are a total of 1054 drinking water facilities that served approximately 4 million people. EPA has determined that 476 are operational, 139 are operating on a boil water notice, 135 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 304. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA’s Water program is continuing to assess drinking water plants in the affected area.
Wastewater -- In LA, there are a total of 317 Public Owned Treatment Works (POTW). As of 10/10, EPA has determined that 295 of these facilities are operational, 14 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 8. In MS, there are a total of 329 POTW, all of which are operational. In AL , there are a total of 84 facilities with one not operating. In TX, there are a total of 70 POTW. EPA has determined that 59 are operational, 4 are not operating, and further information is being gathered on 7. It should be noted that operational facilities may still be in need of repair or reconstruction. EPA’s Water program continues to assess wastewater treatment plants in the affected area. (Note: POTW numbers are now being reported based on utilization of FEMA disaster designation.)
Debris Assessment and Collection - Informational flyers on debris collection continue to be distributed by EPA and the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality in residential neighborhoods. Collection activities continue for household hazardous wastes (HHW) and orphan containers. As of 10/10, EPA has collected over 112,000 HHW/orphan containers throughout the affected region. In addition, EPA personnel continue to offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm.