Sulfuric Acid Leak Near Critical Houston Port Prompts Environmental Response
Houston, Saturday, 27 December 2025.
A collapsed catwalk compromised a million-gallon acid tank near the Houston Ship Channel, sending runoff into the water and requiring medical evaluation for over 40 individuals.
Infrastructure Failure at BWC Terminals
In the early hours of Saturday, December 27, 2025, a structural failure at the BWC Terminals facility in Channelview, Texas, precipitated a significant hazardous materials incident along one of the nation’s most vital waterways [1][2]. At approximately 1:40 a.m., a catwalk collapsed onto a 6-inch sulfuric acid supply line, compromising a storage tank containing roughly one million gallons (3,785 cubic meters) of the corrosive liquid [2][3]. While emergency crews successfully stopped the leak shortly after 6:00 a.m., the breach allowed an undetermined quantity of the acid to bypass containment measures and enter the Jacintoport slip, a direct tributary of the Houston Ship Channel [1][3].
Operational Continuity in a Vital Artery
Despite the magnitude of the potential environmental threat, the economic logistics of the region remain largely uninterrupted. As of Saturday morning, the Houston Ship Channel—a critical logistical artery for the U.S. petrochemical and energy sectors—remains open to marine traffic [1][2]. BWC Terminals has stated that the majority of the chemical release was captured within the facility’s designated containment area, though the exact volume that reached the waterway remains unquantified [3]. Local officials, including the Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard, are actively monitoring the situation to ensure that the pH levels in the water do not pose a threat to marine infrastructure or commerce [1][2].
Public Health and Environmental Oversight
The immediate human impact of the spill required a swift medical response for dozens of individuals on-site. Emergency responders evaluated 44 people following the release, with approximately 4.545 percent of that group requiring hospitalization for respiratory issues [2][3]. Both hospitalized individuals have since been released [1]. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo sought to assuage public fears regarding air quality, confirming that atmospheric monitoring is ongoing and, as of Saturday morning, indicates no immediate threat to the surrounding community [1][2]. Judge Hidalgo emphasized that while the sheer volume of the tank—one million gallons—is alarming, the primary focus has shifted to mitigating aquatic environmental impacts [1][2].
Regulatory Scrutiny and Next Steps
A multi-agency investigation is now underway to determine the precise cause of the structural collapse and to assess the long-term ecological fallout. The response involves coordination between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), and local hazardous materials teams [1][2]. BWC Terminals has suspended operations at the affected facility until further notice, pledging full cooperation with federal and state inquiries [1]. While no impacts on aquatic life were observed as of 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, environmental protocols remain active to detect any delayed ecological consequences in the ship channel’s ecosystem [1][3].