A Florida county has ordered evacuations over concerns that 600 million gallons of toxic wastewater could end up flooding into the region.
- On Friday, a leak was discovered in one of the retaining walls of Piney Point Reservoir, a 77-acre pond that holds wastewater from a nearby phosphate plant.
- Workers attempted to plug the hole and pump out water to relieve the pressure, but they fear that a full breach could send a 20-foot-high wall of water crashing down into the area.
- The water is described as "acidic as a cup of black coffee" and could have damaging environmental effects if it spills into the water supply. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has declared a state of emergency for Manatee County.
- Who should be held responsible for this reservoir springing a leak?
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