Toxic wastewater reservoir on verge of collapse in Florida could cause catastrophic event By Li Cohen Toxic wastewater reservoir in Florida may collapse
Hundreds of residents in Manatee County, Florida, were ordered to evacuate their homes over Easter weekend as officials feared that a wastewater pond could collapse at any time. On Saturday, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the area.
County officials said the pond, located at the former Piney Point phosphate processing plant, had a significant leak, according to CBS affiliate WTSP-TV.
The Manatee County Public Safety Department told people near the plant to evacuate due to an imminent uncontrolled release of wastewater.
New satellite images reveal breach at Florida wastewater reservoir as officials rule out second possible leak and emergency crews continue pumping out millions of toxic gallons to save 300 homes
The state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) ruled out a second breach on Monday after a drone identified a second possible leak in the reservoir that is filled with toxic levels of phosphorus and nitrogen
Emergency workers, assisted by the National Guard, have been pumping around 33 million gallons per day out of the reservoir after a leak sprung in its plastic lining
More than 300 homes near the abandoned phosphate mine and fertilizer-production facility were evacuated over the weekend as Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency
Piney Point latest: Uncontrolled leaking stops, officials maintain close watch
Monitoring continues at Piney Point
Engineers brought in new technology to help give a better view of what s happening at Piney Point.
PALMETTO, Fla. - There is no more uncontrolled leaking at the old phosphate plant in Piney Point, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection said Monday.
FDEP said the water stopped going into Piney Point creek, but technicians are still closely watching the area.
A new thermal imaging drone from federal engineers will help give officials a better view of what’s going on. We were able to get a better idea at how the retention walls are progressing through this, said Dr. Scott Hopes, the Manatee County administrator.
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Residents were encouraged to stay indoors during the environmental cleanup.
The action slated to take up to three weeks to complete started Monday at the Crane Creek site where contractors had already built the Heritage Park apartment complex along the intersection of Grant and Burr streets.
The contaminated soil will be collected, loaded onto 10 trucks, and hauled to a site in Osceola County. It s a slight victory, said Joseph McNeil, president of the Concerned Citizens Committee, the group that lobbied Melbourne City Council for the site to be designated for environmental cleanup.
The City Council initially voted unanimously Nov. 13 to designate the property as a brownfield area.