Westwego Citric Acid Spill; Westwego, LA

Westwego, LA | 2001-Apr-29

Initial Notification: On 29 April, 2000, the NOAA SSC was notified by MSO New Orleans of a release of approximately 450,000 gallons of waste cleaning water containing citric acid and iron oxide into a shallow drainage ditch near Westwego, Louisiana. The release was from an Entergy power plant boiler. Apparently, the release occurred on the evening of 28 April. A fish kill has been observed. The spill has been contained within a three mile ditch. At present, the pH of water in the ditch is reported between 8.1 and 8.5. Dissolved oxygen (DO) is reported to be low at several locations. Westwego is located on the West Bank of the Mississippi River near New Orleans. The out-fall of the ditch would lead to the Bayou Segnette State Park and eventually Lake Salvador. Both are sensitive coastal marsh habitats. The USCG requested characterization of the hazards and potential response options. NOAA is also providing weather support. USCG district 8.