Hillsborough County, Florida – The Mosaic Company, a Tampa-based Fortune 500 fertilizer giant, is under scrutiny for its proposal to inject phosphate wastewater thousands of feet underground at multiple Florida sites. This wastewater, a byproduct of phosphate fertilizer production, has stirred up environmental concerns across the state.
Over the past year, Mosaic has applied to test or initiate the underground injection of its industrial wastewater at four of its facilities, including two in Hillsborough County. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has already issued conditional approval for exploratory drilling at Mosaic’s Plant City facility. Public records show the permit allows Mosaic to drill 8,000 feet into the earth to test if the site is suitable for injecting treated wastewater. A public meeting to address the permit will be held on March 11 in Plant City.
Mosaic is also seeking exploratory permits for its Bartow and Mulberry facilities, while at its Riverview plant, the company is skipping the exploratory stage altogether. Citing existing data from the controversial Piney Point project, Mosaic claims it can proceed directly to wastewater injection.
Background on Piney Point
The Piney Point disaster in 2021 set a troubling precedent. After a leak at the former phosphate processing plant threatened to collapse a retention pond, state authorities released 215 million gallons of contaminated water into Tampa Bay. This caused widespread environmental damage, including a severe red tide that killed over 600 tons of marine life. The aftermath led to the approval of Florida’s first deep injection well to dispose of wastewater from Piney Point.
Environmental advocates and experts had expressed concerns that Piney Point’s decision would open the door for similar permits across Florida, and Mosaic’s current applications appear to validate these fears.
What is Mosaic Proposing?
At its Riverview plant, Mosaic plans to treat the wastewater left from fertilizer production and pump it into the lower Floridan aquifer, specifically the Oldsmar Formation, located 4,000 feet below the surface. The plant could inject up to 4 million gallons of wastewater daily.
Mosaic insists that this method is safe, describing underground injection as a “proven technology” and emphasizing that it involves significant investment rather than cost-cutting. However, critics point out the risks associated with Florida’s unique geology, which is riddled with sinkholes, caves, and limestone channels. They warn that wastewater could migrate to unintended areas, potentially contaminating drinking water and other natural resources.
Expert Opinions
Environmentalists are alarmed. Glenn Compton, chairperson of ManaSota-88, an environmental advocacy group, said:
“All wells leak over time—it’s not a matter of if, but when. Mosaic’s wastewater isn’t clean enough to be discharged into natural water bodies, so they’re taking an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach to save money.”
Rachael Curran, a staff attorney at Stetson University, criticized the DEP for considering these permits. “The Department should require companies to fully treat their wastewater instead of allowing radioactive, nutrient-rich waste to be injected underground.”
Mosaic, however, counters that Florida’s underground injection program is highly regulated and only permits the disposal of non-hazardous wastewater.
Mosaic’s Troubled History
The Mosaic Company has faced legal challenges before. In 2015, the company agreed to pay nearly $2 billion to settle allegations of improper waste disposal at its Florida facilities. Critics argue this history casts doubt on the company’s ability to safely manage industrial waste.
Risks of Deep Injection Wells
Environmental advocates worry about several issues tied to deep injection wells:
- Leakage Over Time: Critics claim that wells inevitably leak, which could allow wastewater to migrate to areas far from the injection site.
- Detection Challenges: Problems underground are harder to detect and address than issues on the surface.
- Impact on Communities: Contamination could threaten nearby neighborhoods and ecosystems.
Despite these concerns, Mosaic continues to pursue permits, arguing that the process is both safe and effective for managing industrial waste.
Public Meeting Details
Residents who want to learn more or voice their concerns can attend the upcoming public meeting:
- Date: March 11
- Time: 4 to 7 p.m.
- Location: Sadye Gibbs Martin Community Center, 1601 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, provide feedback, and understand the details of Mosaic’s proposal for the Plant City exploratory well.
Conclusion
As Mosaic moves forward with its plans, the debate highlights the delicate balance between industrial growth and environmental protection in Florida. With its history of environmental challenges and the risks associated with deep injection wells, Mosaic’s proposal has sparked widespread concern. Whether these concerns will influence regulatory decisions remains to be seen.
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