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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

LDEQ Accident Report

Accident #145159
tate Police #N/A
Accident Date2012-12-05
Report Date 2012-12-10
Follow-up Date 0000-00-00
Follow-up: No

Pollutants Released

Pollutant Duration Point Source Greenhouse Gas Criteria Pollutant Ozone forming chemical Amount of Release
Stormwater1d 9h 30mSpillway on northern side of SWIBNONONOBRQ

Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)

Cause of Problem: Weather

On December 5, 2012 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 route it to the Refinery Wastewater Treatment System (RWTS) for treatment and subsequent discharge through LPDES Outfall 002. However, the system storage capacity was reduced due to the amount of heavy rainfall that had occurred in such a short time frame; as the heavy rains continued, the RWTS (consisting of the Storm Water Impoundment Basin and Aeration Basin) reached maximum capacity levels. In accordance with the procedures outline in the LPDES permit application, Motiva opened the spillway, which is located on the northern side of SWIB, at 22:06 to prevent flooding of the refinery and damage to the SWIB from overtopping of the retaining levee.

Discharge Preventable - No Information Given

Notes/Remedial Actions

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. No mention of any pounds or gallons.