The spill of millions of gallons of contaminated water from the Mosaic New Wales plant is not expected to reach Hillsborough County anytime soon, if ever.

  • Sinkhole at plant in Mulberry leaked slightly radioactive water into the ground
  • 200-million plus gallons of the water has flowed from sinkhole in a gypsum stack
  • Plant located approximately one mile from the Polk-Hillsborough County line

The plant is located about a mile from the Polk-Hillsborough County line.

Hillsborough County Commissioners said they've been getting phone calls from residents who are concerned that the tainted water could make its way into the county's water supply.

"We've been in discussions with Mosaic constantly involving the effects on Hillsborough County," said Commissioner Lesley Miller, Jr.

Sam Elrabi, water division director for the Hillsborough Environmental Protection Commission, told commissioners that the flow from the leak is very slow.

"Even if they were doing nothing to contain it, it would take two years to reach Hillsborough County," he said.

Elrabi said that on top of that, Mosaic is pumping millions of gallons of water a day to keep the contaminated water from spreading beyond the plant and he said it seems to be working.

"We are seeing as predicted by the models the consultants have provided that the production wells to the south are picking up the contaminants that went down and that plume is held on site."

In spite of the assurances, U.S. Representative Gwen Graham, D-Tallahassee, is blasting the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for not notifying the public sooner about the leak.

She wrote a letter to DEP Secretary Jonathan Steverson stating "Their excuse for inaction-that they weren't legally required to do so-is appalling."

Governor Scott said he's told the DEP to expedite its investigation of the spill.

"We're going to monitor it. They're going to do a review to figure out what happened. If there is anyone who's done anything wrong, they'll be held accountable," Governor Scott said.

At least 70 people who live near the plant have asked Mosaic to test their wells.