Fact Sheet: Sampling Efforts
Release Date: September 15, 2005
Release Number: 1603-05-05
SURFACE WATER: Four teams sampled outfalls in Plaquemine Parish on 9/14/05. The Army Corps provided up to the minute information to assist with sample collections. LDEQ conducted spot sampling for fecal counts in surface water. One team collected 3 water samples at 2 locations in East Orleans Parish operating from an airboat. Four (4) EPA-START-ERRS teams collected 17 water samples at 14 outfall locations in Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes. 3 LDEQ-START teams conducted standard LDEQ water quality and fecal coliform sampling at designated locations in Lake Pontchartrain watershed locations.
SEDIMENT: Three sediment sampling teams were in Orleans and St. Bernard Parishes on 9/14/05; twenty-eight samples were collected at 23 locations. Water is receding which will facilitate easier sediment sample collection. NOAA is assisting with maps.
AIR SAMPLING:
- ERT TAGA Team 1 continued conducting air sampling in Orleans Parish at random locations.
- ERT TAGA Team 2 conducted air sampling in the industrial area on the west bank of the Mississippi.
- LDEQ continues stationary air monitoring with summa canisters. Data will be processed and made available soon.
DEBRIS REMOVAL:
- Continued collecting HHW/orphan containers in Mandeville and Slidell.
- 4,817 HHW/orphan containers collected on 9/14/05.
- 17,547 total HHW/orphan containers (total) collected as of 9/14/05
DRINKING WATER SYSTEMS: No new assessments were done, however 60 systems were reevaluated to determine the extent of repairs so cost repair data can be generated. LWRA personnel conducted 28 technical assistance visits. Two drinking water samples were collected in the field today. Of the samples from the last 2 days sampling events (64), total coliforms were detected in 4 and E. coli were not detected in any of the samples.
OIL SPILLS: EPA air samplers were deployed in the Murphy Oil Spill Area. No data is yet available. Air sampling results for the mobile monitoring (TAGA) were received and indicated elevated levels of benzene, toluene and xylene in the oil recovery work area. All levels are below PEL and no change in worker protection is required at this time based on review by EPA Health and Safety officers. The EPA sediment sampling team is in the area to help define the limits of the oil impacted area. An EPA environmental assessment team remains in the area to assist the St. Bernard Parish EOC and Army units reconning the area. A shoreline contamination assessment team (SCAT) has arrived on site to begin defining the extent of the oil-impacted areas. Road sanding operations and stockpiling of contaminated mud is continuing. Parish Officials are requesting guidance from EPA about area contamination levels and allowing residents to return to the area. The National Guard roadblocks continue to be in effect.
EMERGENCY RESPONSES: An emergency response team continued assessment of a feed store in Slidell. ER followed up on a request from PFO-NOLA operations regarding pickup and disposal of medical waste. An Army team is tasked with cleaning out medical waste from area hospitals. EPA is tasked with arranging for transportation and disposal. LDEQ discovered a plating shop in Michoud where drums and vats are on the exterior of the building and residents are being allowed into the area to retrieve belongings. ER will be investigating. Approximately twenty (20) fixed facilities had reconnaissance performed for radiation issues with sources. No readings above background were detected.
FEMA prepares the nation for all hazards and manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, trains first responders, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program and the U.S. Fire Administration. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Sunday, 18-Sep-2005 09:58:34