Sinkhole sends millions of gallons of radioactive water into Florida Aquifer

Saturday, September 17, 2016
MULBERRY, Fla. -- Officials said a massive sinkhole in Florida has allowed millions of gallons of radioactive water to pour into one of the world's most productive aquifers.

The sinkhole was found by crews in a containment pond at the New Wales Mosaic plant in Mulberry on Aug. 27.
[Ads /]
A field technician found the water level had dropped at one of the ponds, and upon investigation, found a 45-foot hole with seemingly no bottom, WFTS-TV reports.

Since then, about 215 million gallons of contaminated water used to process fertilizer has drained into the hole.
[Ads /]
A recovery well was built to pull the contaminated water out of the aquifer. So far, tests have not detected contaminants in the groundwater, meaning the pumps are working, officials said.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All Rights Reserved.