(AGENPARL) – Sun 05 October 2025 Daily Update: EPA Cleanup Continues in Tangipahoa Parish, Louisiana
DALLAS, TEXAS (Oct. 5, 2025) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) continues to lead the cleanup of the impacted area in Roseland, Louisiana, following a fire at the Smitty’s Supply facility on August 24.
Response by the Numbers:
– 9,215,283 gallons of liquid waste recovered
– 5,577,873 gallons of liquid wastes removed for disposal
– 22,400 feet of containment boom laid
– Over 375 EPA and contractor personnel deployed
Accomplishments to date include extinguishing the fire and stabilizing the facility to prevent leaks; installing earthen dams, booms and rainwater collection around the site to contain runoff; deployed boom and sorbent material in ponds and the Tangipahoa River to capture contaminated runoff; and increased the recovery rate of oily material. EPA has also started additional sampling of the river, ponds, and ditches in the area to increase the amount of information and data we have about the range of pollutants that are present in the water and sediment. 
EPA appreciates the continued coordination and response efforts of our state and local partners and the cooperation of residents as our recovery efforts continue.
Cleanup Operations
EPA’s cleanup operations in the Tangipahoa River are focused on flushing oily waste in the river downstream to established collection points where it is removed and placed in containers for disposal. At the ponds, crews are working 24 hours a day to contain and recover oily wastes.
This week EPA increased the rate of oil recovery with new equipment, including six drum skimmers, two foilex skimmers, and five marsh buggies. The number of frac tanks, which store recovered material prior to disposal, has been increased to 47.
EPA is preparing for a predicted rain event in the next few days by increasing the recovery rate of oily material, fortifying ditches, and building underflow dams to prevent material from reaching the river.
Community Engagement
EPA has met with hundreds of community members and answered their questions at regular office hours and events. Residents are invited to continue engaging with our response staff at the upcoming events listed below. 
Community Office Hours:
– Tangipahoa Parish Fair: Sunday, October 5 (Outside of the Florida Parishes Arena)
Online Resources
Media Availability
2021_EPA_Twitter_icon_cision.png (https://twitter.com/EPA) 2021_EPA_Facebook_icon_cision.png (https://www.facebook.com/EPA/) 2021_EPA_Instagram_icon_cision.png (https://www.instagram.com/epagov/) 2021_EPA_LinkedIn_icon_cision.png (https://www.linkedin.com/company/us-epa/)
______________________
Environmental Protection Agency, 1201 Elm Street, Suite 500, Dallas, TX 75270 United States