Political and Legislative
A Florida County is Under a State of Emergency as a Toxic Wastewater Reservoir is Collapsing
Manatee County, Florida, is in a state of emergency and residents are being evacuated as a toxic wastewater reservoir is on the brink of collapse, and Gov. Ron DeSantis said crews are working to prevent “a real catastrophic flood situation.”
Families in at least 316 homes were ordered to evacuate Saturday after officials warned that Piney Point Reservoir, about 40 miles south of Tampa, could flood homes with 15 to 20 feet of water if it collapses.
The reservoir holds a mix of saltwater, freshwater, wastewater, and fertilizer runoff. DeSantis clarified Sunday that the water is not radioactive after concerns were raised because the ponds are in stacks of phosphogypsum, a solid radioactive byproduct of manufacturing fertilizer.
