Trouble seems to keep finding Mosaic’s New Wales gypstack in Mulberry, Florida. This week, the fertilizer giant notified the state of a possible tear in the liner beneath the massive pile of mildly radioactive phosphate waste. This isn’t a first rodeo for the gypstack:
- 2016: A 152-foot sinkhole swallowed 215 million gallons of contaminated water into the aquifer below.
- 2021: A partial breach sent millions of gallons of tainted water into Tampa Bay.
- March 2023: Another liner tear revealed a 300-foot “cavity” that wasn’t publicly acknowledged until months later.
So, what’s the latest leak threat? Data shows a change in water pressure, suggesting a tear that could release an unknown amount of “process water” into the environment. This water, a cocktail of rainfall and various processing fluids, can mix with the phosphogypsum (aka phosphogypsum) and seep into the ground, potentially causing sinkholes.
Good news? The possible tear lies within an area covered by a recovery well, designed to capture and contain any releases. But environmental advocates remain wary. They point out that even without “process water” above the waste, pollutants already lurking below could escape.
Mosaic, playing it close to the vest? While the company claims they can’t confirm a tear yet, environmental groups see a pattern of delayed transparency. After the 2016 sinkhole, Mosaic pledged heightened transparency, but their recent silence on the potential tear raises eyebrows.
State investigating, but is it enough? The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is on the scene, overseeing Mosaic’s investigation and considering potential violations. However, environmentalists argue that the gypstack’s recurring problems point to deeper structural issues demanding stricter control.
This latest incident casts a long shadow over Mosaic’s controversial plans. The company and Governor DeSantis want to use the same gypstack for a test road construction project using phosphogypsum. Given the gypstack’s shaky track record, environmentalists and residents are rightfully concerned.
The bottom line? The New Wales gypstack seems perpetually on the brink of another environmental disaster. Mosaic needs to be transparent and proactive in addressing these recurring issues. State regulators must ensure safety and accountability, and perhaps it’s time to rethink using a troubled gypstack as a test bed for new projects.