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Tampa (AP) - After the discovery of a leak in the sewage basin of a former phosphate and fertilizer plant in the US state of Florida, emergency services are trying to prevent an environmental disaster.
According to media reports, around two billion liters of wastewater contaminated with phosphorus and nitrogen are threatened with leakage because of the crack.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for the affected district of Manatee County, around 40 kilometers south of Tampa.
"It's about preventing a catastrophic flood," he said on Sunday (local time) after a flight over the area.
In the event of a total rupture of the pool wall, this could trigger a tidal wave up to six meters high, warned the district chief Scott Hopes.
In the not particularly densely populated area, around 300 houses have already been cleared and a motorway has been partially closed.
About 350 inmates from a nearby prison had been moved to the upper floors, local media reported.
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The sewage in the basin in the Piney Point area has a higher content of phosphorus and nitrogen, but it is neither toxic nor radioactive, said Florida's environmental agency according to media reports.
However, this could lead to increased algae formation and thus to fish death.
The fear is also that a collapse of this reservoir could affect other basins with more dangerous residues in the area.
The crack in the 33-hectare and eight-meter-deep basin was discovered last week.
Since then, experts have been trying to pump water out of the reservoir.
The National Guard is also on duty.
Attempts to seal the break have so far been unsuccessful, as it was said.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210405-99-89505 / 2
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