Piney Point Update – Aug. 11, 2021
DEP remains committed to its stringent oversight of HRK’s activities at Piney Point as they prepare the site for possible impacts from Tropical Storm Fred. Department inspectors are onsite overseeing site preparations as staff work to secure heavy equipment and water treatment elements, and adjust water management levels in the ponds to ensure the site can endure tropical or hurricane force winds and rain. Additional pumps and generators are also available to safeguard against potential power outages.
The site received approximately 0.6 inches of rain overnight, bringing the rainfall total to approximately six inches over the last 11 days. Rainwater runoff continues to be conveyed through HRK’s permitted outfalls to the drainage ditch along Buckeye Road. This is rainwater, not wastewater from the compartment areas onsite. Samples of the stormwater are collected by HRK daily to ensure it meets the requirements of HRK’s discharge permit and water quality standards.
Key status updates and response activities:
- The department filed a complaint in the 12th Judicial Circuit Court of Manatee County on Aug. 5, initiating enforcement action against HRK Holdings, LLC. Learn more by reviewing DEP's filed complaint and a frequently asked questions document.
- Approximately 262 million gallons are currently held within the NGS-South compartment. 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 continues to monitor and sample surrounding waterways following previous discharges. 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 also 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.
- 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. 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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