The US Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services are cautioning the public and all responders about the potential hazards associated with flood waters. Every effort should be made to limit contact with flood water due to potentially elevated levels of contamination associated with raw sewage and other hazardous substances. EPA has collected and sent New Orleans flood water samples to labs in Lafayette, LA and Houston, TX for analysis. Daily sampling is ongoing, and test results are expected later this week.

Recovery - EPA search and rescue operations continue. Food and water were distributed and an additional 120 people were rescued. Approximately, 770 rescues have been made by EPA in LA. Sixty-five EPA watercraft are currently available for rescue efforts.

Public Advisory - On 9/4, EPA issued an advisory to the public urging caution when disposing of household hazardous waste and asbestos-containing debris from storm-damaged homes and other buildings. The advisory was issued as a press release from EPA headquarters and regions 4 and 6.

Water Assessment - EPA estimates the number of water systems affected by the hurricane is now 73 in AL , 555 in MS and 469 in LA. In AL , many water systems were disabled or impaired by loss of electrical power. Eight systems in AL currently have boil water advisories. EPA is continuing its assessment of damage to local drinking water systems in MS, and providing technical assistance to help restore safe drinking water to those systems. Boil water notices have been issued to 404 water systems in MS. Samples from these systems will be analyzed for total fecal coliform bacteria before the systems restore service. EPA is assisting the LA Department of Health and Hospitals in assessing drinking water and will deploy 30 more EPA personnel to LA during this week. There are approximately 378 drinking water systems that are not in operation in LA with another 48 systems on a boil water notice.

Wastewater Treatment Facilities - EPA continues to assess wastewater treatment facilities in LA, MS and AL. EPA estimates the number of wastewater treatment facilities affected is now 13 in AL , 114 in LA and 85 in MS.

Air Surveillance - EPA's environmental surveillance aircraft (ASPECT) is being used to assess spills and chemical releases. On 9/4, a large oil spill was surveyed in Chalmette , LA (Murphy Oil). A 250,000 barrel tank containing 85,000 barrels of oil released beyond secondary containment and extended into a residential area. The company and its contractors are working with EPA and the Coast Guard to repair the storage tank, contain the oil and begin cleanup. EPA and state officials continue to collect air quality information from daily aerial helicopter inspections of facilities. On-the-ground inspections of these facilities will provide additional information in the coming weeks. Air assessments of spills and chemicals releases in New Orleans and surrounding area continued via helicopter on 9/5.

Incident Management Team (IMT) - On 9/2 EPA deployed a 17 person Incident Management Team to Baton Rouge to integrate with LA officials and manage EPA's field operations. Deployment of a second full IMT to the LA area is being coordinated with anticipated mobilization on 9/6.

Peer Support & Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team - EPA has deployed CISM team members to Baton Rouge , LA and will deploy two CISM Team members to Jackson , MS on 9/7 to consult with all EPA staff conducting field operations in areas impacted by the hurricane.

Fuel Waivers - On 9/2, EPA granted a limited waiver from the reformulated gasoline (RFG) requirement for gasoline sold in the Richmond , VA , metropolitan area through 9/9. In consultation with the Department of Energy, we are closely monitoring gasoline supplies as we consider requests for waivers in other areas. On 9/1, EPA granted Georgia 's request to waive its state sulfur requirement through 9/15 which required clean burning gasoline to be sold in the 45-county area of Atlanta . On 8/31, to alleviate possible fuel shortages across the country and to help meet emergency demand, EPA granted a nationwide fuel waiver that allows refiners, importers, distributors, carriers and retail outlets to supply gasoline and diesel fuels that do not meet standards for emissions. The temporary waiver is in effect through 9/15.

Hazardous Waste Disposal - EPA personnel continue to oversee and offer technical assistance in the disposal of hazardous waste and other debris left behind by the storm. Teams are working closely with the Coast Guard to conduct assessments of potential oil spills and chemical releases caused by the hurricane.

Technical Expertise - EPA will be assessing environmentally safe clearance standards for residences and commercial buildings. EPA has practical and scientific expertise in the environmental health hazards caused by flood waters, especially the effects of molds and mildew, and in the disposal of household hazardous waste and asbestos-containing materials from storm-damaged buildings.

Emergency Call Center - EPA expects to deploy 30-50 personnel from the Region 5 (Chicago) office to assist staffing of the FEMA Emergency Call Center that will register people who are applying for federal assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The call center is anticipated to be operational on September 8th.

http://www.epa.gov/katrina