Piney Point Liner Tear Proves Significant

PORT MANATEE – The ripped liner that lead to millions of gallons of hazardous discharge at Piney Point was significant, according to Manatee County Environmental Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker in an email accompanying the first photo of the liner, which has been removed for analysis to help better understand how the failure occurred.

The discharges were permitted in order to help maintain the stability of the former phosphate mine site. Initial tests showed that the release caused higher than acceptable levels of the toxic heavy metal cadmium, plus heightened nitrogen levels in the surrounding water.

The state DEP has completed three rounds of testing in Bishop Harbor, just south of Port Manatee and say that the harbor's water continues to test as safe. The site's current owner, HRK Holdings, says that a temporary patch will be installed today and that further tests will determine any additional work that needs to be done before it is permanently fixed.