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.
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.
Emergency declared over toxic wastewater leak in Florida April 06, 2021
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the area as officials feared that a wastewater pond could collapse at any time.
TAMPA, Florida 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.
Updated: 5:48 AM EDT April 6, 2021
PALMETTO, Fla.
A possible second leak was investigated; the state said late Monday afternoon there is only one identified area.
County leaders expected to give a 9 a.m. update
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried set to speak at 12:45 p.m.
The Manatee County Public Safety Department says the county has helped relocate 102 people who were in the evacuation zone
People who live in Manatee County can visit this link to see if they are affected by the current evacuation zone near the Piney Point reservoir.
A local state of emergency has been declared for Manatee County and parts of Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.
Engineers find no evidence of second breach in Florida wastewater pond that threatens to break krdo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from krdo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.