Within the past 24 hours, DEP has reduced discharge flow to Port Manatee by more than 90%. Teams are now deploying nutrient reduction and removal treatments of the water on-site to address any required discharges in the future. This will significantly reduce nutrient loading to Port Manatee and help minimize water quality impacts. 

Yesterday, DEP deployed diving companies and submersible cameras in the NGS-South compartment and identified a seam separation on the east wall of the compartment. DEP and contracted crews continue to work around the clock to implement necessary repairs to the liner to contain the flow. Field operations teams are actively assessing the remainder of the system to continue stabilization and water treatment efforts. These efforts have enabled DEP to move forward with these important steps to reduce the current discharge volume of untreated water and ensure future discharges are pre-treated. 

DEP continues to work with its partners to implement solutions in the waterways surrounding Piney Point to combat potential harmful algal blooms and continues sampling the water quality network in this area daily.  

Key status updates and response activities:  

• The reduced rate of discharge to Port Manatee is now estimated to be less than 5 million gallons per day.   
• Approximately 232 million gallons remain in the NGS-South compartment.  
• To date, approximately 202 million gallons have been discharged to the port. 
• DEP tasked two innovative technology companies to initiate nutrient reduction and removal treatments from water on-site prior to discharging to Port Manatee.  
• DEP is working to repair the one identified area where there is concentrated seepage from the east wall of the NGS-South compartment. The flow of the seepage has reduced and remains contained onsite in the facility’s lined stormwater management system.     
• DEP’s interactive water quality dashboard details sampling locations and corresponding results to evaluate any environmental impacts to Tampa Bay from the Piney Point discharges. Results will continue to be posted as soon as they are available. 
• Manatee County Emergency Management reopened U.S. Highway 41 and Buckeye Road to traffic and lifted the local evacuation order enabling local residents and businesses to return home safely.  

Residents can find the latest information on the status of the site and response activities at ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/PineyPointUpdate.