DEP Working Closely with PCS Phosphate to Contain Wastewater Release at Hamilton County Phosphate Plant

WHITE SPRINGS – On Thursday afternoon, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was notified by PCS Phosphate Company of a sinkhole which was discovered inside its phosphogypsum stack system at PCS’ Swift Creek Chemical Complex in Hamilton County. The Swift Creek Chemical Complex is located just east of US 41, approximately 10 miles northwest of White Springs, Florida. The stack system stores process wastewater and gypsum resulting from PCS’ phosphate fertilizer manufacturing operations at this site.

As part of its initial review, PCS has estimated that 84 million gallons of process water was released into groundwater through the sinkhole. However, based on site inspections and ongoing collection of monitoring data, it appears that PCS’ production wells are containing the process water on site – thereby not contaminating the aquifer offsite or nearby potable drinking water wells.

“Our first concern is the protection of public health and safety,” said DEP Secretary Michael W. Sole. “Once we were notified of the sinkhole our first priority was to work with PCS and the appropriate agencies to determine that the groundwater contamination has not moved off the PCS property. We will continue to work with the company over the coming weeks to ensure proper containment and remediation of the area.”

To determine and minimize the extent of any groundwater impacts, the company and DEP have taken the following actions since the sinkhole discovery and throughout the weekend:

• PCS has and will continue to sample production and monitoring wells on its property, and has conducted sampling at the closest drinking water wells which are approximately two or more miles from the sinkhole and released process water. Sampling results collected over the weekend do not show the presence of any groundwater plume offsite.
• DEP is working with PCS, the Suwannee River Water Management District (SRWMD), and Department of Health officials to continue the review of water wells surrounding the property. Together with the results of the initial well sampling, an extensive network of monitoring is being used to determine the effectiveness of PCS’ production wells in containing the process water. If needed, DEP will work with PCS to provide an alternative supply of water to citizens if any wells are impacted.
• PCS is continuing their follow-up actions and will be working closely with DEP on their ongoing monitoring and remedial actions related to the sinkhole.

Citizens who may be concerned about their drinking water supply can contact the Hamilton County Health Department at (386) 792-1414.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is the state’s principal environmental agency, created to protect, conserve and manage Florida’s environment and natural resources. DEP enforces federal and state environmental laws, protects Florida’s air and water quality, cleans up pollution, regulates solid waste management, promotes pollution prevention and acquires environmentally-sensitive lands for preservation and recreation. To learn more visit DEP’s Web site at: www.dep.state.fl.us.