MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — As Tropical Storm Elsa heads toward Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection is keeping a close eye on storm preparations at the former Piney Point phosphate processing plant.
DEP officials are overseeing operations at the site that drew national attention after millions of gallons of wastewater were discharged into Tampa Bay earlier this year.
HRK Holdings, the owner of the since-abandoned phosphogypsum stack, has staff working to secure heavy equipment and adjusting water management levels in the ponds to ensure the site can endure strong winds and heavy rainfall, according to a news release.
Additional pumps and generators are also being incorporated to safeguard against potential power outages.
Approximately 215 million gallons are still held within the NGS-South compartment, according to DEP. State inspectors say pond level readings are expected to fluctuate due to a host of factors, including rainfall, water management activities and wind/associated waves in the pond.
DEP says it's still working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Department of Health to monitor algal blooms and water quality.
For the first time, this week scientists say they have started detecting small amounts of red tide in areas of the bay around Piney Point. However, the extent to which Piney Point's discharge contributed is still unknown.
- Tropical Storm Elsa remains a strong system; Tampa Bay still needs to keep an eye on it
- With Elsa looming, demolition of collapsed Surfside condo to start, halting search and rescue
- Sha'Carri Richardson apologizes after positive drug test disrupts her Olympic plans
- Bodies of 2 children found in rubble of Surfside collapse, mayor says; number of deaths climb to 18
- A Frank Conversation: New podcast explores race, religion, politics and more
►Breaking news and weather alerts: Get the free 10 Tampa Bay app
►Stay In the Know! Sign up now for the Brightside Blend Newsletter
