DEP'S DAILY UPDATE ON MOSAIC - NEW WALES SINKHOLE

DEP

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 15, 2016
CONTACT: DEP Press Office, 850.245.2112, DEPNews@dep.state.fl.us

DEP'S DAILY UPDATE ON 
MOSAIC - NEW WALES SINKHOLE

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) priority is always the safety of Floridians and our environment and our staff was on-site to investigate the issues at Mosaic’s New Wales facility less than 24 hours after being notified. Since Mosaic’s initial report of the Water Loss Incident at its Polk County New Wales facility on Aug. 28, DEP has maintained strict oversight of the recovery process and made frequent site visits to ensure timely and appropriate response continues in order to safeguard public health and natural resources.

 

Governor Scott directed DEP to expedite our investigation, which began on Aug. 29. While Mosaic has taken responsibility, our job is to ensure 100 percent safe drinking water in Florida and to protect our state’s pristine environment. As directed by the Governor, DEP is expediting all water-quality tests to ensure safe drinking water for residents. Governor Scott has also directed the Department of Health to partner with DEP in our investigation to ensure all drinking water in the area is safe. 

 

To keep the public informed of the latest response activities and most recent monitoring data, DEP will issue a daily update on this issue.

DEP’s Ongoing Oversight:

Department staff continues to perform frequent, targeted site visits to monitor progress and provide direction and assistance on response activities.

The department continues to communicate with Mosaic on a daily basis to receive updates on the status of the site, and the most recent monitoring results, along with a review of investigative activities in accordance with the requirements of applicable state permits and state orders.

Below is a timeline of action taken by DEP since notification of this incident:

  • Nov. 14, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Nov. 14, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Nov. 14, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 950 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have all met applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 57 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water from the Mosaic sinkhole, but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water from the sinkhole, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and reviewing treatment options. 
  • Nov. 10, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. Through Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, DEP has collected 366 split samples. In addition, DEP and DOH have collected 44 independent samples from private drinking water wells.

  • Nov. 10, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.
  • Nov. 9, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Nov. 9, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 900 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have all met applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 46 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water from the Mosaic sinkhole, but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water from the sinkhole, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and reviewing treatment options. 
  • Nov. 8, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. 

  • Nov. 8, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.
  • Nov. 7, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Nov. 7, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Nov. 7, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 850 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have all met applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 29 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water from the Mosaic sinkhole, but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water from the sinkhole, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and treatment options. 
  • Nov. 5, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. Through Saturday, Nov. 5, DEP has collected 337 split samples. In addition, DEP and DOH have collected 42 independent samples from private drinking water wells.

  • Nov. 4, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Nov. 3, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Nov. 3, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. In addition, DOH also took independent samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. 

  • Nov. 3, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Nov. 2, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Nov. 2, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. 

  • Nov. 2, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.

  • Nov. 2, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 850 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have all met applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 26 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water from the Mosaic sinkhole, but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water from the sinkhole, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and treatment options.
  • Nov. 1, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. 

  • Nov. 1, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. 

  • Nov. 1, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.

For more information on DEP's ongoing oversight, click here.

Sinkhole Investigation:

  • DEP’s Florida Geological Survey is assisting in the department’s investigation into the formation and remediation of the sinkhole.

  • Mosaic is reporting that there have been no adverse changes or increase in the size of the sinkhole formation through Monday, Nov. 14, 2016.

  • Mosaic is reporting that their engineering consultant continues to establish safe, stable locations for staging equipment to access the sinkhole feature so remediation activity can begin.

Groundwater Quality:

Mosaic Map

The department is receiving data from Mosaic that is based on the company’s network of monitoring wells that capture water quality data within the three aquifer systems at the site - the Surficial Aquifer, the Intermediate Aquifer and the Floridan Aquifer. By the regular testing and reported data from these wells, DEP is able to confirm no off-site migration is occurring.

Monitoring to date continues to indicate that the affected water is being successfully contained, and that there is no evidence of off-site movement or threat to off-site groundwater supplies. Daily oversight and routine groundwater monitoring will continue to ensure there are no off-site or long-term effects.

 

  • Specifically, as of Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, the recovery well efforts continue to successfully capture and contain released process water from the Floridan Aquifer.

  • Groundwater data from on-site monitoring wells shows no movement of process water outside of the capture zone of the onsite recovery well.


Drinking Water
:

Although the affected water is currently contained on site, DEP, in an abundance of caution, is working with Mosaic to reach out to the nearest adjacent homeowners who may want their drinking-water wells tested.

 

Sampling began Sept. 19, 2016.

 

Drinking Well Testing Information as of Nov. 14, 2016

 

Completed

Scheduled

Drinking Water Well Tests

1,255

1,294


Ongoing monitoring of nearby wells continues to indicate that affected water is contained to the impacted site. The nearest private drinking well is around 3 miles away from the site, and thus far in DEP’s investigation there is no indication that there is a threat to this well. Both Mosaic and DEP will continue to perform sampling, and if any indication of off-site migration is seen, affected homeowners will be immediately notified.

  

Mosaic reports that it has contracted with an independent, third-party contractor to take the samples, which will be sent to a third-party lab. DEP staff will be available to perform sampling alongside these contractors or independently. 

 

Additional Information on DEP's Ongoing Oversight:

 

  • Oct. 31, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 31, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. Through Sunday, Oct. 30, DEP has collected 284 split samples. In addition, DEP and DOH have collected 42 independent samples from private drinking water wells.

  • Oct. 31, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 29, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 28, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 28, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 730 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have all met applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 23 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water from the Mosaic sinkhole, but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water from the sinkhole, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and treatment options. 
  • Oct. 27, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. In addition, DOH also took an independent sample from one private drinking water well. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 27, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 26, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 26, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. 

  • Oct. 26, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 25, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 25, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 25, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 24, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. In addition, DEP and DOH also took independent samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 24, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 24, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 24, 2016: DEP executed a consent order with Mosaic following the sinkhole at its New Wales facility.

  • Oct. 23, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. Through Sunday, Oct. 23, 2016, DEP has collected 226 split samples. In addition, DEP and DOH have collected 34 independent samples from private drinking water wells.

  • Oct. 22, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. 

  • Oct. 21, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 600 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have all met applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 11 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and treatment options.

  • Oct. 21, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.
  • Oct. 20, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 20, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct 20, 2016: DEP and EPA held status update call on Mosaic New Wales ongoing and future response activities. 

  • Oct. 20, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.

  • Oct. 20, 2016: DEP has reviewed 584 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have all met applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 11 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and treatment options.
  • Oct. 19, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to participate in an update given by Mosaic to staff from the Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission. The site visit included an update on ongoing recovery and response activities. 

  • Oct. 19, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 19, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 19, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.

  • Oct. 19, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 570 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have met all applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 11 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and treatment options.
  • Oct. 18, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 18 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 18, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 540 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have met all applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH continue to reach out to an additional 10 homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and treatment options.
  • Oct. 17, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.

  • Oct. 17, 2016: DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming.
  • Oct. 16, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. Through Sunday, Oct. 16, DEP has collected 169 split samples. In addition, DEP and DOH have collected 33 independent samples from private drinking water wells.

  • Oct. 15, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. 
  • Oct. 14, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. Work to install these additional wells is continuing on schedule. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts. Progress is also being made at the site to build safe work areas for the remedial work that will be done to close the sinkhole. 
  • Oct. 13, 2016: DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts. DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. DEP and DOH took samples from private drinking water wells.
  • Oct. 13, 2016: DEP has reviewed over 450 sample results from private drinking water wells, which have all met all applicable federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards and showed no impacts related to process water from the sinkhole at the Mosaic New Wales facility. DEP and DOH are reaching out to an additional nine homeowners whose samples also show no impacts from the process water but do show some results above drinking water standards. Even though these results show no impacts related to the process water, the priority of DEP and DOH is safe drinking water. DEP and DOH are confirming with the homeowners that the wells are used for drinking water purposes, and if so, offering additional testing and treatment options.

  • Oct. 12, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. Results from these samples are forthcoming. DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.

  • Oct. 11, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. In addition, DOH also took independent samples from private drinking water wells. DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. DEP staff was on-site to oversee ongoing installation of additional monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 10, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. In addition, DEP also took independent samples from private drinking water wells. DEP and Mosaic took joint samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. 
  • Oct. 9, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Through Sunday Oct. 9, 2016, DEP has collected 106 split samples. In addition, DEP and DOH have collected 21 independent samples from private drinking water wells.

  • Oct. 8, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Response activities resumed on the installation of an additional monitoring well. This well will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.

  • Oct. 7, 2016: DEP requested and received status update on post-storm site conditions. Storm impacts were reported to be very minimal with additional response activities resuming
    Oct. 8, 2016. Mosaic reported that recovery well operations continued without interruption.
  • Oct. 6, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. DEP confirmed that Mosaic had completed storm preparation activities including securing generators and fuel supplies to ensure the recovery well remains operational should there be a loss of power due to Hurricane Matthew. DEP staff was on-site to oversee installation of an additional monitoring well. This well will provide additional monitoring coverage to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 5, 2016: DEP facilitated a meeting with DEP staff, EPA, Mosaic and its consultant to discuss response activities and measures to expedite the upcoming remedial work to close the sinkhole. DEP requested and obtained details of storm preparation efforts by Mosaic and confirmed generators and fuel supplies were in place to ensure the recovery well remains operational should there be storm impacts due to Hurricane Matthew. DEP staff was on-site to oversee the last day of initial sinkhole mapping activities. DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Work began on the installation of one of the new additional on-site monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage so Mosaic and the department can continue to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 4, 2016: DEP and DOH took samples from private drinking water wells. In addition, DEP took independent samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. DEP staff was on-site to continue oversight of sinkhole mapping activities and discussed initial progress of the mapping efforts with Mosaic.
  • Oct. 3, 2016: DEP and DOH took samples from private drinking water wells. In addition, DEP took independent samples of Mosaic monitoring wells. DEP staff was on-site to continue oversight of sinkhole mapping activities and discussed initial progress of the mapping efforts with Mosaic. Additional mapping is planned for Oct. 4, weather permitting. This exploration is critical for expediting and moving forward with remediation activities. DEP received confirmation from Mosaic that they have secured contracts for additional deep and shallow Floridan monitoring wells. These wells will provide additional monitoring coverage so Mosaic and the department can continue to ensure there is no indication of off-site impacts.
  • Oct. 1, 2016: DEP and ECT took joint samples from private drinking water wells. Through Saturday, Oct. 1, DEP has collected 63 split samples. DEP was on-site to oversee initial lidar and sonar mapping of the sinkhole. Exploration activities will resume Oct. 3, weather permitting. This exploration is critical for expediting and moving forward with remediation activities.

  • DEP's Ongoing Oversight in September 2016
 

If you would like to continue to receive daily updates on the Mosaic-New Wales sinkhole,
click
here.

https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLDEP/bulletins/1729c2c