Piney Point Will Be Closed as Manatee County Approves Money For Deep Injection Well to Eliminate Wastewater at Piney Point
Yesterday (4/20/21) The Manatee County Commission approved going forward to drill a deep injection well to permanently dispose of the treated wastewater from the former Piney Point phosphate processing plant. This well would be a mile deep and not contaminate the aquifer or water table, according to experts. Evidence shows that ”deep injection wells” are scientifically sound ways of disposing of this type of wastewater … as it undergoes a cleaning process, before it goes in the well.
The commission, on a 6-1 vote, approved executing a construction agreement with Youngquist Brothers Inc. to drill the well. The contract will state the well must be completed with 330 days and cost no more than $9.35 million.
District 2 Commissioner Reggie Bellamy voted against the motion. He did not elaborate or explain why he voted no.
Youngquist Brothers Inc., of Fort Myers, is one of Florida’s leading contractors of deep injection well systems.
Also at Yesterday’s meeting, commissioners voted to expedite coordination of well testing in the area, to ensure nearby residents’ well water is safe.
The commission also discussed the possibility of extending county water and sewer to residential areas near Piney Point and approved a motion to direct the public utilities department to study options that may be available. The commission also unanimously agreed to extend the county’s local state of emergency.
Watch the Commission discuss the matter below: