Oil Spill in Bayou Lafourche Prompts Water Conservation Notice and Cleanup Efforts

On Saturday, July 27, authorities began investigating an oil spill in Bayou Lafourche, Raceland, prompting the Lafourche Parish Water District No. 1 to issue a Water Conservation Notice. Residents are urged to conserve water due to concerns about the oil impacting the water supply, although the parish’s drinking water remains unaffected as of 2 p.m. Saturday.

Parish President Archie Chaisson reported the spill’s notification at 7:50 a.m., with cleanup efforts expected to last from a few hours to several days.

The oil spill originated from the Crescent Midstream facility and was observed entering Bayou Lafourche via a stormwater canal near LA Hwy. 308 and LA Hwy. 182. The spill’s volume remains unknown, but a photo circulated online shows a dark, thick substance on the water’s surface.

The incident was first reported through a 911 call describing oil covering a significant portion of the bayou, which is crucial as Bayou Lafourche is the sole drinking water source for four parishes.

Residents, including Jessica Pledger, noticed the spill due to a strong odor before seeing the oil itself. The cause of the leak, identified within the Crescent Midstream crude oil facility, is under investigation.

Cleanup efforts involve numerous federal, state, and local crews working throughout Saturday, leading to a water conservation advisory for areas south of the LA Hwy. 182 bridge. Air quality monitoring indicates levels below actionable thresholds, assuring that the water supply remains safe.

Pledger described the impact as devastating, with the bayou appearing coated in black muck stretching approximately three miles from State Highways 308 to 182. The bayou is currently closed to mariners between the Highway 182 bridge in Raceland and the Salt Water Control Structure in Lockport.

Containment efforts have been successful, with no injuries reported and extensive resources deployed to address the spill, including various vessels, vacuum trucks, and booms.

The spill has affected local wildlife, with deceased aquatic salamanders, turtles, and a crawfish reported. Additionally, ducks and alligators have been observed to have oil contamination, though they have not yet been captured. Cleanup operations continue along Bayou Lafourche, and residents are asked to avoid the area to facilitate the response team’s work and prevent further interference.