Links to Tangipahoa Information on Water Quality and Smitty’s Chemical Release.
This disaster not only blanketed nearby communities in “black rain”—a mixture of soot and oil falling from the sky—it also allowed toxic substances to flow into the Tangipahoa River for weeks, impacting nearly 50 miles of river, swamps, wildlife habitat, farming communities, and the lives of the people who depend on these waterways.
This webpage aims to connect the public with the information that is available. Here we compile known data from government agencies, independent researchers, and outside sources to help communities better understand what occurred and what risks may remain.
On August 22, 2025, the Tangipahoa River—one of Louisiana’s designated Scenic Rivers—was struck by the largest oil-chemical spill the Nation has seen since the BP disaster. The incident stemmed from the explosion and weeks-long fire at the Smitty’s Supply facility, which stored over 8 million gallons of oil and chemical products.
Despite the scale of the disaster, government agencies have downplayed the situation. Many toxic substances known to be possible have not been tested for, data has not been transparent, and residents have been left uncertain—and afraid—of the true impacts to their communities and river.
Help Protect the Tangipahoa River and Demand Public Input!
Northshore Riverwatch urges LDEQ to require public input on cleanup at the Smitty’s Products site in Roseland, Louisiana.
Smitty’s is seeking a general permit to discharge so-called “treated” stormwater and cleanup water into drainage ditches flowing to the Tangipahoa River. General permits have no public notice or comment. Local reports show ongoing discharges to the river.
Take Action:
Link to Example Letter asking for Individual Permit Use our short example letter to ask LDEQ for an individual permit with public comment:
• Add your name and contact info in highlighted areas
• Add a sentence in your own words
• Keep A.I. #25963
• Email to LDEQ, Scenic Rivers, and State Representative. email addresses in letter.
Community action protects our river. Share this!
Photo 9/25/2025 at Hwy 40
Why This Matters
The Tangipahoa River is a Louisiana Scenic River, home to sensitive ecosystems and important recreational areas.
Smitty’s Products site involves a major industrial disaster, not routine operations.
Ongoing discharges from the site continue to affect local waterways.
General permits provide no public notice or comment, limiting community input on critical environmental decisions.
Requiring an individual permit ensures enforceable limits, monitoring, and public oversight, protecting both the river and downstream communities.
LDEQ and EPA Links
Document Repositories & Links
We provide direct links to the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality (LDEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) document portals.
EDMS – Electronic Document Management System, LDEQ’s public document archive.
A.I.# (Agency Interest Number) – The unique identifier used to group documents related to a specific facility or event.
Current and Past Water Quality Testing Data Links
