LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY | Secretary Aurelia S. Giacometto
A DEPARTMENT OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality – Remediation Division (LDEQ-RD) detected environmental contamination in the vicinity of Property Owners and Residents near the Intersection of Louisiana highways 3225 and 167, near Pineville.
Historic soil, groundwater, and soil gas contamination from an industrial solvent was discovered at the Dresser, LLC facility. Dresser is in the process of investigating the area of contamination. It has contracted with environmental consulting companies including Stantec and GHD to carry out the investigation. The main contaminant is trichloroethene also known as trichloroethylene. Perchloroethylene, also known as tetrachloroethylene, is present as a co-contaminant, probably as a function of the original product mixture. Breakdown products also known as daughter compounds are also present.
The preliminary investigation has revealed groundwater contamination, and more recently soil gas contamination, extends from the industrial property to the east shoulder of Service Road East (Austin Drive) in the vicinity of the residential development east of La. 167. The trichloroethene concentrations in shallow soil gas (sampled at three and five-foot depths) are elevated and warrant additional investigation. As a result, soil gas sampling is being conducted along additional streets in the neighborhood. In addition, sampling of indoor air has been conducted in some of the occupied residences along Service Road East (also known as Austin Drive) to determine if the contaminant is present in those homes. Additional outdoor air sampling also will be conducted.
Dresser manufactured industrial valves and components at the facility. Processes included degreasing metal components with trichloroethylene. The source of the contamination has been tentatively identified as a tank used to store the material located onsite.
The owner of the industrial property is:
Dresser, LLC
Website: https://www.dresserpineville.com/
For more information please call: Pineville Information Line 713-879-1230
On the facility property, Dresser has initiated two remediation processes. In June 2018, Dresser began injecting chemicals designed to break down the contaminants in the groundwater (In-situ Chemical Oxidation or ISCO) on the Dresser Property. On April 28, 2020, Dresser began soil gas removal (Soil Vapor Extraction or SVE) through a system of wells and piping installed on the Dresser property. The ISCO and SVE systems were recently expanded onsite. In addition to onsite remedial efforts, there is an offsite SVE system in the Aurora Park area along Austin Drive.
LDEQ will host Nov. 18 public meeting regarding the Dresser site
The Louisiana Department of Environmental (LDEQ) will host a public meeting regarding
ongoing environmental assessment and corrective action at the Dresser site in Pineville at 6 p.m. Thursday,
Nov. 18, at Country Inn and Suites, 2727 Monroe Highway in Pineville.
All publically available information for Dresser, LLC is available to be viewed on LDEQ’s website using the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) at http://www.deq.la.gov/page/edms, searchable using Agency Interest (AI) Number 2920
Individual LPDES Permit Information
The current Louisiana Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (LPDES) permit, LA0099547, was issued to Dresser Inc./GE Oil and Gas on March 18, 2016, for the facility’s operations as a metal products and machinery facility. The 2016 LPDES permit authorized discharges of sanitary wastewater, process wastewaters, steam condensate, cooling tower blowdown, boiler blowdown, wash water, parts rinse water, hydrostatic test wastewater, reverse osmosis reject water, fire test water, and stormwater. The November 25, 2020, renewal application submitted by Dresser, LLC certified that all processing from the metal products and machinery facility ceased in December 2016. With the changes in operation, the only remaining discharges for consideration under the LPDES renewal permit are sanitary wastewater and stormwater runoff from the plant area and undeveloped areas (stormwater that is not associated with the remediation area). A draft permit for these wastewaters was issued to Dresser, LLC on March 16, 2021, and will be public noticed in accordance with departmental regulations.
All publically available information for Dresser, LLC can be viewed on LDEQ’s website using the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS) at http://www.deq.la.gov/page/edms, searchable using Agency Interest Number 2920.
Please note: neither of these LPDES wastewater permits in any way authorize the discharge of groundwater.
Short Term General Permit Information
Dresser, LLC submitted a Notice of Intent (NOI), requesting coverage under the LPDES Short Term and Emergency General Permit, LPDES Permit Number LAG420000 (https://www.deq.louisiana.gov/assets/docs/Permits/LAG420000.pdf) on Feb. 12, 2021. A review of the NOI indicated the proposed discharge meets the eligibility criteria of the general permit, and authorization was issued on March 18, 2021. Per the general permit conditions and the authorization of coverage:
The Notice of Intent may be viewed in EDMS at the following link: https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=12585865&ob=yes&child=yes.
The authorization of coverage may be viewed at the following link: https://edms.deq.louisiana.gov/app/doc/view.aspx?doc=12612747&ob=yes&child=yes.
Please note: neither of these LPDES wastewater permits in any way authorizes the discharge of groundwater.
Key:
Stormwater: Stormwater runoff, snow melt runoff, and surface water runoff and drainage are generated from rain and snowmelt events that flow over land or impervious surfaces, such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops.
Groundwater: Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock. It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand, and rocks called aquifers.
Wastewater: Wastewater is any water that has been contaminated by human use. Wastewater is “used water from any combination of domestic, industrial, commercial or agricultural activities, surface runoff or stormwater, and any sewer inflow or sewer infiltration,” dissolved or suspended waterborne waste material.
Sanitary Wastewater: Sanitary or domestic wastewater refers to liquid material collected from residences, offices, and institutions. It does not include stormwater.
Process Wastewater: Industrial or Process wastewater refers to wastewater from manufacturing facilities.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency - Reference LDEQ's rules and regulations.