Completion Report June 2006

Since September 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Louisiana Department of Environ mental Quality (LDEQ) have worked together to address environmental hazards from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to help Assumption Parish recover.

One of EPA and LDEQ's first priorities was to ensure residents returning to all the cities affected by the hurricanes had safe drinking water. One assessment was conducted at a drinking water facility in Lafayette Parish. Similarly, 12 wastewater treatment plants were assessed for damage.

Next, EPA and LDEQ turned to hazardous waste storage, transfer or disposal facilities. Throughout southern Louisiana facilities were addressed, including 6 facilities in Assumption Parish. The agencies conducted interviews and site visits to establish that employees could return to work at facilities operating in accordance with federal and state regulations.

Because of concerns that damaged chemicals in school biology and chemistry laboratories could cause a health hazard, EPA and LDEQ conducted assessments of 11 schools in Assumption Parish. Of the 11 schools assessed one was found to have a laboratory. Assessment of the laboratory determined that no chemical containers were damaged by the hurricanes, flood waters and/or heat exposure.