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Louisiana Refinery Accident Database

Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Pollutants Released

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Weather

The facility opened the SWIB spillway to prevent flooding of the refinery due to extremely heavy rainfall. The unanticipated bypass of the Motiva wastewater treatment facility at the Storm Water Impoundment Basin (SWIB) spillway was due to an upset condition and was caused by thunderstorms and associated heavy rainfall. The Norco area experienced extremely heavy rains from a slow moving thunderstorm. The site was initially able to contain the rainfall associated with this event and routed it to the Refinery Wastewater Treatment System (RWTS) for treatment and subsequent discharge. However, the system storage capacity was reduced due to rainfall that had occurred on preceding days and as the heavy rains continued, the RWTS (consisting of the Storm Water Impoundment Basin and Aeration Basin) reached maximum capacity levels. In accordance to outlined procedures, Motiva opened the spillway, which is located on the northern side of SWIB, to prevent flooding of the refinery and damage to the SWIB from overtopping of the retaining levee.

Discharge Preventable - No

Motiva's normal operating procedures call for the initiation of bypass operations when no capacity remains in the RWTS and a bypass is the only alternative to prevent flooding of the facility.

Notes/Remedial Actions

The spillway serves as the protection structure for the SWIB and is used to prevent/reduce flooding of the refinery during extreme rainfall events. The spillway discharges to Engineer's Canal and then to Lake Ponchartrain via a flood control structure through the St. Charles Parish Hurricane Protection Levee. Motiva's normal operating procedures call for the initiation of bypass operations when no capacity remains in the RWTS and a bypass is the only alternative to prevent flooding of the facility. Emergency bypass operations were stopped on August 21, 2012. The facility was being properly operated and maintained at the time of the incident and all required notifications were made. No mention of any pounds or gallons.