Piney Point Update - April 25, 2021
The low-level flow that was observed from the concentrated seepage area April 13 has significantly reduced after incorporating stone aggregate below the steel plate covering the liner seam separation. The placement of this aggregate is one tool being implemented to stabilize the plate. Stabilization will help reduce the low-level seepage flow, minimize erosion and provide a stable foundation for continued repair activities.
Field operation crews continue to monitor the plate and aggregate using submerged technologies.
Key status updates and response activities:
- DEP has been methodically relocating water among the lined storage basins onsite to safely manage water, respond to rainfall events and prepare for water treatment. Water levels can be expected to fluctuate daily due to these water management activities, as well as evaporation.
- Discharges to Port Manatee ceased April 9, and have not resumed at this time. It remains DEP's priority, if possible, to ensure any future necessary discharges are pre-treated to minimize ecological impacts.
- Approximately 192 million gallons remain in the NGS-South compartment.
- DEP continues to monitor and sample surrounding waterways following previous discharges. At this time, bloom conditions have been observed in the localized area of previous discharges. To date, results have ranged from non-detect to trace levels of cyanotoxins. DEP's interactive water quality dashboard details sampling locations and corresponding results to evaluate any environmental impact. Results will continue to be posted as soon as they are available. DEP is working collaboratively with the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) and local governments to cover more area and collect more data. For a comprehensive view of all sampling in Tampa Bay related to Piney Point, visit TBEP's interactive water quality dashboard.
- Red tide conditions in the Gulf of Mexico were detected prior to previous discharges, but outside of the immediate discharge area. This past week, results were reported detecting red tide in lower Tampa Bay, west of the Manatee River. Based on results of water quality monitoring and utilization of Ocean Circulation Models, the red tide conditions in these areas are not thought to be a direct result of the Piney Point discharges. However, elevated nutrients have the potential to exacerbate these algal blooms, and increased sampling is ongoing. DEP continues working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Department of Health to monitor algal blooms and water quality in the area. Thus far, there are no reported fish kills in the localized discharge area. FWC is the lead agency on red tide and will continue to update conditions on their website. For more information on red tide, please visit ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov.
Residents can find the latest information on the status of the site and response activities at ProtectingFloridaTogether.gov/PineyPointUpdate.
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