Florida phosphate plant leak releases millions of gallons
PUBLISHED Jun 3, 2026, 6:51 PM ET
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Florida environmental authorities are responding to a major acidic wastewater leak at a closed phosphate processing facility in Polk County, where a structural tear in a synthetic liner allowed roughly 4.2 million gallons of industrial process water to escape over a 24‑hour period. Detected by automated monitoring equipment, the leak involved water with elevated sulfate, sodium, fluoride, and low-level radioactivity typical of phosphogypsum stacks. State emergency teams from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection are testing nearby ditches and a tributary of the Peace River, while operators build earthen berms and use vacuum trucks to recover and re-store the contaminated water.
By Sarah Whitman | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Earlier this week, leak first detected electronically
- Same day, management confirms liner tear
- Following hours, 4.2 million gallons released
- Soon after, state emergency teams dispatched
- That day, initial field water samples collected
- Subsequently, earthen berm rapidly constructed
- Currently, vacuum trucks recover pooled wastewater
- Ongoing, testing continues near Peace River
News Intelligence
- This leak could affect your health and safety. If you live near Polk County, Florida, be aware of potential water contamination. Check local advisories before using water from wells or rivers.
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