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Sputnik International
Last week, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection approved the pumping of wastewater into the Tampa Bay ecosystem from a reservoir at Piney Point – a former phosphate plant in Manatee County. A leak in the liner of the reservoir has caused a partial breach in one of the containment walls and officials hope that pumping more than 30 million gallons of wastewater out of the reservoir will relieve pressure on the walls and reduce the chance of an uncontrolled major breach.
Check back to this story for the latest updates on evacuations, the status of the breach and the responses from officials and others.
Truck driver blamed in train collision near Bradley
The Ledger
A truck whose driver tried to beat a train across tracks caused a collision Friday that caused up to 150 gallons of diesel fuel to spill.
The collision occurred at a crossing near Bradley, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection reported. A CSX train collided with a truck operated by T. Wayne Hill Trucking, a news release said.
No waterways were affected, DEP reported. Following completion of source removal, a report will be submitted to DEP.
No second area of seepage at Piney Point, according to FL DEP
Efforts to prevent a full-scale collapse at Piney Point
and last updated 2021-04-06 13:40:26-04
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. â There is no second breach at the old Piney Point phosphate plant, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
Meanwhile, the effort continues to pump out more than 35 million gallons of water a day to prevent a collapse of the gypsum stack and an uncontrolled spill of contaminated water.
As of Monday, more than two dozen pumps were deployed and drone teams were monitoring every hour.
The Florida DEP said controlled discharges are ongoing to stabilize the system, while uncontrolled discharge to Piney Point Creek stopped. It continues monitoring an area with concentrated seepage from an east wall contained on-site.
Company that owns leaking Florida wastewater reservoir filed bankruptcy, sued by bank
FL governor pledges to make owner pay
During a tour of the former Piney Point phosphate mine on Sunday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged he would hold the property owner financially responsible for the mess.
By: WFTS Staff
and last updated 2021-04-06 08:50:11-04
PALMETTO, Fla. â Late last week, officials in Florida discovered a small leak at a Florida wastewater reservoir that quickly prompted a state of emergency and mass evacuations in the area. While touring the former Piney Point phosphate mine on Sunday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pledged he would hold the property owner financially responsible for the mess.