Phosphate

The red tide bloom comes within weeks of a major discharge of nutrient-rich water from the Piney Point phosphate plant into Tampa Bay.

A computer model that's been used to track red tide and Tampa Bay's response to Hurricane Irma is now being adapted to follow the dispersal of contaminated runoff from the old phosphate plant.

Workers will continue to identify whether there are any additional separations of the liner that resulted in millions of gallons of wastewater flowing from the reservoir.

The state says that 223 million gallons remain in the reservoir that had started leaking over a week ago.

Data on nitrates and phosphate will be important when determining the spill’s effect on Tampa Bay.

The state had been releasing up to 50 million gallons a day from the reservoir. The flow is now down to 5 million gallons a day, which will be treated before it enters Tampa Bay.

"Someone should be held responsible," Hillsborough County Commissioner Stacy White said.

As of Wednesday, officials say more than 38 million gallons are removed each day, with 258 million gallons still remaining.

A pair of environmental organizations are weighing in on the Piney Point wastewater leak in Manatee County. They say the crisis at the old fertilizer plant was preventable.

Acting Manatee County Administrator Scott Hopes says it appears workers at the site have been able to bring the situation under control.

Officials say the wastewater being released into Tampa Bay is not radioactive, but it does contain a lot of nutrients that can fuel algal blooms. Scientists say it will take time to see if damage occurred.

Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried toured the processing plant and said the massive spill could have far-reaching implications.