Louisiana CWA CrimeBox

For the week of Sept 19-25, 2022

Environmental Crimes: CWA Criminal Prosecution Case Histories

The following summary is from one of sixty-six Clean Water Act Prosecutions in Louisiana since 1990

Multi-national oil company fails to report benzene spill for 2 weeks

An oil refinery was the source of a release of benzene into the Mississippi River. The discharge entered the water supply of St. Bernard Parish. Authorities were notified for the first time fourteen days later.

The company was found guilty of one count of negligent violation of the Clean Water Act.

Federal fines:$200,000Special Assessment:$125 Restitution: $0 Prison time:0 months Probation: 12 monthsCommunity Service

Based on the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease registry Toxicological profile for benzene:

Benzene is used as a constituent in motor fuels; as a solvent for fats, waxes, resins, oils, inks, paints, plastics, and rubber; in the extraction of oils from seeds and nuts; and in photogravure printing. Benzene is also used in the manufacture of detergents, explosives, pharmaceuticals, and dyestuffs.

Hazard statement: Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure of humans to benzene may cause drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, as well as eye, skin, and respiratory tract irritation, and, at high levels, unconsciousness. Chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure has caused various disorders in the blood, including reduced numbers of red blood cells and aplastic anemia, in occupational settings. Reproductive effects have been reported for women exposed by inhalation to high levels, and adverse effects on the developing fetus have been observed in animal tests.

Increased incidence of leukemia (cancer of the tissues that form white blood cells) have been observed in humans occupationally exposed to benzene.

EPA has classified benzene as a known human carcinogen for all routes of exposure.

Safe Drinking Water Act Compliance, Sept 19-25, 2022 61.4%*

(*LA drinking water facilities currently in compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act)

- 1281 total Drinking Water Facilities in the state of LA

• -494 with Current Violations (38.6%)

• -105 with Significant Violations (8.2%)

• -153 with Formal Enforcement Actions (in the last 5 yrs.) (11.9%)

Facilities with Significant Violations

29 Palms Trailer Park

Abita Petro Plus

Alberta Water System

Atlantic Alumina, LLC

Azalea Lane Trailer Park

Backwood Village Water System

Beekman Water System

Bel-Di-Gil Water System

Belmont Waterworks Inc.

Bernice Water System

Better Waterworks

Beverly Heights Manor

Bonita Water System

Cameron Parish WW District 9

Central Grant Water System

City of Many Water System

City of Opelousas Water System

City of Ville Platte Water System

Concord Water System

CVD Ceramics

Domino Sugar

Downsville Water System

Eagle Lake Mobile Home Park

East Carroll Water System South

Ebarb Waterworks District 1-N Ebarb/Belmont

Edgefield Water System

Egan Water Corporation, Egan Water Corp #2

Elm Point Estates Water System

Entergy Louisiana

Enterprise Water System

G & J Mobile Home Estates

Gilark Water System

Green Park Camp Water System

Holiday Mobile Home Villa Water System

Homeland Heights

Insta-gator Ranch

Jones McGinty Water

Keithville Mobile Villa

Kings Court Mobile Home Park

La Maison des Chene Water

Lake St John Waterworks District

Lakeside RV Park

Leleux Trailer Park Water System

Litroe Water System

Marina Del Rey Water System

MUS Estates Water System

Mt Olive Water System

New Carroll Water System

New Hope St Clair Water System

New Orleans Algiers Waterworks

Newellton Water System

North Lake St John Water System

Oil City Waterworks

Ozone Pine Subdivision

Paradise Point Water System

Pearl Plantation Townhouse

Pendleton Water Assoc

Phillips 66 Lake Charles Refinery

Pine Trailer Park

Pleasant Hill Water System, Town of

Pleasant Hills Crossroads Water System

Pointe a la Hache Water System

Ponderosa Ranches Subdivision

Port Sulfur Water District

Reddell Vidrine Water District

River Ridge Estates Water System

S and J RV Park

Salem Water System

Shreveport Water System, serving 201,000

South Mansfield Water System

South Shreveport Mobile Villa

Southgate Mobile Home Park

Southwest Avoyelles Water District

Spring Creek Subdivision Water System

Springfield Mobile Home Park

Springhill Community Water System

St. Martin Industrial Park Water System

St. Tammany Recreation District 2

St. Tammany Water District 3

Te Mamou Water District

Tesi Jackson Square

Town of Baldwin Water Supply

Town of Cheneville Water System

Town of Ferriday Water System

Town of Iota Water System

Town of Mamou Water System

Town of Montgomery Water System

Town of Plain Dealing Water System

Town of White Castle Water System

Uncle Dick Davis RV Park WS

Utility Service of Lake Charles WS

Vermillion Waterworks District

Village of Calvin WS

Village of Georgetown WS

Village of Mermentau Water System

Village of Parks Water System

Village of Sicily Island Water System

Village of Sikes Water System

Village of Tangipahoa WS

Village of Wilson WS

Vixen WS

Wards Chapel WS