Series of explosions that destroyed more than two miles (3 km) of streets in Louisville, Kentucky, United States on February 13, 1981
The 1981 Louisville sewer explosions demonstrated the severe public safety risks of illegally discharging industrial solvents into municipal sewer systems.
Key Facts
- Sewer lines destroyed
- More than 13 miles (21 km)
- Fatalities
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Ralston-Purina settlement (sewer district)
- $18 million
- Lawsuit settlement (plaintiffs)
- ~$9 million to ~17,000 plaintiffs
- Criminal fine paid
- $62,500 (maximum possible)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Ralston-Purina's soybean processing plant on Floyd Street illegally discharged hexane, an industrial solvent, into Louisville's municipal sewer system. Hexane vapors accumulated within the sewer network, creating a highly flammable mixture that awaited ignition beneath the city's streets.
On February 13, 1981, ignition of the accumulated hexane vapors triggered a series of explosions that destroyed more than 13 miles (21 km) of sewer lines and streets in central Louisville, Kentucky. Four people were injured, but there were no fatalities despite the extensive destruction of urban infrastructure.
Repairs to the damaged sewers and streets took approximately two years. Ralston-Purina paid over $33 million in combined settlements to the sewer district, the city, plaintiffs, and affected residents. The company eventually pleaded guilty to four counts of violating federal environmental laws and paid the maximum criminal fine of $62,500.
Human Cost
Each dot represents approximately 10,000 deaths. Total estimated: 0 (other)