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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco
LDEQ Accident Report
| Accident # | 156845 |
| tate Police # | N/A |
| Accident Date | 2014-06-17 |
| Report Date | 2014-06-20 |
| 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 |
| Wastewater | 2d 1h 30m | RWTS Emergency Spillway Structure | NO | NO | NO | BRQ |
| Stormwater | 2d 1h 30m | RWTS Emergency Spillway Structure | NO | NO | NO | BRQ |
Accident Classified As: Below Reportable Quantity (BRQ)
Cause of Problem: Process Upset
On 6/15/2014, Motiva Norco experience a rainfall event. At the time, the site was was working to control pH swings in the Refinery Wastewater Treatment System (RWTS). Due to the pH upset conditions in the Aeration Basin of the RWTS, the site shut down Outfall 002 pumps to the river to prevent polluting the river with pH upsets. As a result of the backup of wastewater and the addition of stormwater the RWTS reached maximum capacity levels. In accordance with their LPDES permit application, the RWTS emergency spillway structure was opened to prevent flooding of the refinery and damage to the retaining levee. The water was discharged to Engineer's Canal and then to Lake Ponchartrain.
Discharge Preventable - No Information Given
Notes/Remedial Actions
Monitoring was conducted through sample collection and analysis of discharged water and pH monitoring of the water leaving the spillway to ensure the water leaving the site remained between pH 6.0 and 9.0. Report indicates that Motiva is investigating the cause of the initial pH upset and will submit a follow up report. This report has not been received.
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