LAFOURCHE PARISH, La. — It's been more than 24 hours since Lafourche Parish officials reported an oil spill started in Bayou Lafourche, and cleanup efforts are still underway.
It was first reported Saturday morning after oil poured into a stormwater canal near the Mill Street bridge and then went into the bayou.
The bayou supplies water to four parishes. As of Sunday, parish officials have said the water is safe to drink, but they're asking residents south of LA Hwy 182 Bridge to conserve water out of an abundance of caution.
Some water intakes were shut off briefly on Sunday morning while boom activity took place, according to Parish President, Archie Chaisson.
"The main thing to remember is the water intakes are five to six feet below the water line. We're not sucking water directly off the top of the bayou. So, if things float across, it doesn't really matter what's on top of the water as long as nothing is sinking," Chaisson said.
Chaisson also quelled concerns that helicopters are being used to disperse chemicals into the water.
"No dispersions are being used. All oil is manually recovered," Chaisson said.
More than 60 workers, 18 vessels, six vacuum trucks, and 4,300 feet of boom are being used to aid cleanup, according to the parish.
It's still unclear exactly how much oil seeped into the bayou from the nearby Crescent Midstream refinery. Chaisson said the company is working with the parish to calculate and release that number on Monday.
"We want to make sure that number is very accurate so that the amount of product being taken out of the bayou can be zeroed out at the end of the day," Chaisson said.
Chaisson said they're also working to confirm the cleanup timeline.
In the meantime, Lafourche residents were stocking up on water on Sunday.
"I had gotten some yesterday, but I said let me get a few more today," Patsy Comeaux said, "I started washing today to hopefully get it done before so that I'm good for the rest of the week. So hopefully it's not going to be too too long."
Oiled ducks were picked up and taken to Houma for rehabilitation on Sunday, Chaisson said.
They're asking the public to report any oiled wildlife they see. Call 832-514-9663 with a description and location of the animal.
The northbound lane of LA Hwy 1 will be closed as you approach Highway 90 due to cleanup equipment being staged there. The parish is asking drivers to use caution when approaching the area.
A No-Fly Zone from LA Hwy 182 to LA Hwy 654, one mile in either direction of Bayou Lafourche was implemented by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).