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Motiva Enterprises (1406), Norco

Releases of Water or Wastewater

LDEQ Accident Number
Accident Date		 Point Source(s) Notes Amount of Release
119925

2009-12-08		LPDES outfall 006
sewer lift station
Cause: There was a storm that occurred in the NORCO area resulting in heavy rainfall . As a result of the rainfall, the Refinery Stormwater Impoundment Basin (SWIB) exceeded its maximum capacity level of 10 feet. The LPDES Outfall 006 was forced to be open and allow bypass of wastewater. 2hrs before bypass event ended,there was a failure in the sewer lift station causing sanitary sewage to mix with the bypass wastewater.

Followup: Yes

Notes: bypass was stopped and all required notifications were made
113296

2009-03-10		firewater system
Cause: It was reported that there was a leak in the firewater line part of the firewater distribution system. Some of the water was captured by the wastewater treatment system but some was also sprayed onto Airline Hwy as a result of this leak.

Followup: Yes

Notes: the appropriate block valves were used to isolate the leaking firewater header		50.0 gallons
148623

2013-05-10		Refinery Wastewater Treatment System
Cause: On May 10, an unanticipated bypass incident at the Storm Water Impoundment Basin (SWIB) was due to an upset condition caused by heavy rainfalls associated with a series of thunderstorms. 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. However, the system storage capacity was reduced due to the amount of heavy rainfall that had occurred in such a short time frame. Motiva opened the spillway to prevent flooding of the refinery and damage to the SWIB from overtopping of the retaining levee. The spillway discharges to Engineer's Canal and then to Lake Pontchartrain.

Followup: No

Notes: Motiva's normal operating procedures cal 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. All required sample collection and analysis were conducted in conjunction with the opening of the spillway. Limits were not exceeded and visual inspection showed no signs of adverse water quality of the storm water discharge.