EPA to Perform Additional Water Sampling for Smitty’s Supply Fire Response
Roseland, Louisiana: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is leading the response effort to contain and remove oily material from the Smitty’s Supply site, the Tangipahoa River, and nearby impacted areas. As a part of this work, EPA will conduct additional sampling of the river, ponds, and ditches in the area to increase the amount of information and data we have about the range of pollutants that are present in the water and sediment. While we expect to find some chemicals or pollutants related to the fire (including petroleum by-products, metals, or chemicals related to firefighting activities), we may also find pollutants from previous activities, or from other industrial, farming, and human activities in the area or upstream of the area. Results from this sampling effort will help EPA understand the impact of the fire and how best to direct continuing work to protect human health and the environment.
The additional sampling efforts are beginning this week. Five rounds of sampling will be completed over the next five weeks in ponds, ditches, and the Tangipahoa River upstream and downstream from the Smitty’s Supply facility. EPA is sampling for Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s), Semi Volatile Organic Compounds (SVOC), Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and other organics and metals. EPA expects to have the first set of sampling results no later than October 21.
EPA continues working closely with the State of Louisiana to accelerate cleanup efforts, bring in additional expertise, and identify innovative recovery strategies. EPA will continue to lead emergency response efforts and remains committed to its mission of protecting human health and the environment.
More information about the Smitty’s Supply cleanup response can be found at https://www.epa.gov/la/smittys-supply-fire