03/06/2026
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about cleanup work at the Smitty’s Supply facility in Roseland.
1. Is the discharged water safe?
Yes. The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) issued a short-term permit authorizing the discharge of treated stormwater from cleanup operations. The permit was approved in coordination with LDEQ, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH). Any discharge must meet the permit’s limits and monitoring requirements.
2. How is it determined to be safe?
Stormwater is treated and sampled as required under the permit before it is discharged. Prior to discharge, the water was tested to assure that it met LDEQ’s stringent acute toxicity standards. Testing results are submitted to LDEQ through electronic reporting and become part of the public record. Testing results must meet LDEQ's standards.
3. How much stormwater has been treated and discharged?
To date, 474,500 gallons of treated stormwater have been discharged in accordance with the permit.
4. How much debris has been removed or recycled from the site?
Cleanup crews have made significant progress removing and recycling materials, including:
• 7,362.19 tons of non-hazardous solid waste disposed of
• 5,185.34 tons of scrap metal recycled
• 4,815,202 gallons of liquid waste recycled or managed, including 593,701 gallons of oil material recycled
5. How much material has been recovered and secured?
Crews have recovered and stored 6,626,457 gallons of liquids from the site, including stormwater and other materials requiring treatment or secure storage. In addition, 1,343 totes and 174 drums of product have been transferred into secure on-site storage tanks.
6. What about containers and other materials on site?
Cleanup teams have also recycled or securely managed 1,826 empty totes and 608 empty drums.
7. What work has been happening this week?
Crews have focused on:
• Treating and discharging stormwater under the LDEQ permit and conducting required sampling
• Completing corrective actions identified during the RCRA audit, particularly inside warehouse areas
• Continuing overall site cleaning, including storage tank containment areas and impacted concrete surfaces
• Managing non-hazardous solid and liquid materials and loading rail cars with oil material for recycling
8. What happens next?
Work in the coming weeks will include:
• Completing remaining corrective actions identified during the RCRA audit and preparing the final report
• Continuing overall site cleaning across the facility
• Continuing to manage non-hazardous liquid waste, including stormwater that cannot be treated on site, in accordance with permit and regulatory requirements
• Continuing to load rail cars with oil material for recycling
Cleanup remains ongoing, and crews continue working to safely restore the facility while protecting the surrounding community.