The amount of toxic pollution released into Louisiana rivers and waterways reached 11.3 million pounds in 2020 – the fourth highest annual pollution release among the 50 states, according to a new report published by environmental groups.
The study released Sept. 28 by the Environment America Research & Policy Center and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund found that 10 states, including Louisiana and Texas, accounted for more than 50% of the total release of toxic substances into U.S. waterways in 2020.
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) said it tries to limit water pollution to the lowest levels of toxic discharges possible. The LDEQ also questions the overall value of the state-by-state water pollution data.
“Statistics are not always one-size-fits-all,” LDEQ spokesman Gregory Langley told the Louisiana Record in an email. “The fact that Texas has the largest volume of releases is not unrelated to the fact that Texas is the largest of the conterminous 48 states. The impact of emissions varies as well. The more receiving streams a state owns, the better it can handle releases.”
The Pelican State is home to many bayous, streams, lakes and rivers, providing residents with drinking water and recreational enjoyment while facilitating commerce, agriculture and industry, Langley said.
“LDEQ is dedicated to ensuring a desirable water quality in all Louisiana water bodies and will continue to work within the framework of state and local laws to protect our water resources,” he said.
The release of chemicals that cause cancer, reproductive effects and hindrances to human development is also the topic of ongoing litigation. The U.S. Supreme Court this month heard arguments in a case that could result in the scaling back of provisions of the federal Clean Water Act.
Nitrates accounted for 90% of all the toxins released into U.S. waterways by weight, according to the study. Such substances contribute to the creation of oxygen-depleted “dead” zones in the Gulf of Mexico, posing health risks to wildlife, the researchers said.