Mosaic New Wales sinkhole consent order

Secretary, Jon Steverson, said: “The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is dedicated to the safety of Floridians and our natural resources. Since Mosaic’s initial report of the Water Loss Incident at its Polk County New Wales facility on 28 August, DEP has maintained strict oversight of the recovery process and made frequent site visits to ensure timely and appropriate response continues in order to safeguard public health and natural resources.”

"The Department will hold Mosaic accountable for repairing the sinkhole, recovering all discharged process water, providing continued assurances that no off-site impacts have occurred and, if any off-site impacts do occur, ensuring that Mosaic rehabilitates the impacts. If the company does not follow the entire order, they will be fined up to US$10 000 per day.”

"Executing this consent order provides for the continued protection of our residents and environment by requiring Mosaic to ensure comprehensive drinking water protections and take swift response, recovery, and remediation actions following the sinkhole at the New Wales facility. We're also requiring the company to provide financial assurances to ensure these actions are taken.”

"In addition, we're requiring Mosaic to take steps at all their facilities in Florida to prevent future incidents like this one. DEP will continue to maintain strict oversight of all aspects of the response, recovery and remediation actions, including groundwater and drinking water monitoring.”

The consent order necessitates numerous actions that will ensure Mosaic remains accountable for recovering the process water, repairing the sinkhole and protecting Florida’s drinking and groundwater resources.

A copy of the consent order is available here.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/potash/26102016/mosaic-new-wales-sinkhole-consent-order/