MANATEE COUNTY – County officials are reporting the controlled release at Piney Point is working, this comes after a retaining wall at the Piney Point facility sustained a partial breach.
Though officials say they’re are hopeful we’re still not out of the critical area yet.
“No news is good news,” said Manatee County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh. “By that I mean steady draw down of the processed water has continued at Piney Point, and we have thankfully avoided uncontrolled breach.”
After a significant leak at one of the waste water retention ponds at the Piney Point facility. County officials say efforts in avoiding a large-scale breach have been successful thus far, but they fear an uncontrolled breach is still possible.
“A portion of the containment wall at the leak site shifted laterally, signifying that structural collapse could occur at any time,” said Director of Public Safety for Manatee County Jake Saur.
In the event of a full breach of the walls, new models show a 20-foot wall of water has the potential of bursting into surrounding areas in less than an hour. Forcing officials to prepare for the worst, but hope for the best.
“We’re looking at now is trying to prevent and respond to, if need be, a real catastrophic flood situation,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis.
In a statement the Florida Department of Environmental Protection says the controlled discharge of the reservoir is about 35 million gallons per day, all being drained into Port Manatee, with about 340 million gallons remaining.
Though FDEP reports that while the water is acidic it’s not radioactive. However, residents living in the surrounding area of the evacuation zones are concerned their drinking water could be contaminated.
“Manatee County utility customers can rest assure that their drinking water is completely safe to drink,” said Baugh. “There is also no threat to our primary source of drinking water Lake Manatee.”
County Administrator Dr. Scott Hopes and his team are feeling confident with the stability of the phosphate stacks. Especially with the help of Florida’s National Guard. They delivered on Sunday more pumps to alleviate the pressure of the damaged retaining walls, that for now are preventing a full breach.
County officials are providing residents with live footage of the breach with aerials coming of a drone. As well as an evacuation tool to check if your neighborhood falls under the evacuation order.
