New Technology

Built-In Environmental Controls.
Closing our 60-year old gypsum storage area gave us an opportunity to build in environmental controls that minimize the concerns associated with large, older storage areas. This included capping the storage area with a high-density polyethylene liner, draining it and covering it with a protective layer of soil and grasses. Environmental controls exist for all stages of gypsum storage beginning with the transportation of the gypsum slurry from the plant to the storage area. The slurry is transported through a two-mile long pipeline. Double-walled pipes are used to reach the storage system.

Groundwater Protection - A Top Priority.
The existing gypsum storage area was the first in Florida to be designed with groundwater protection as a top priority. The new storage area was built on a two-tiered clay liner to prevent leaching into underlying aquifers. Additionally, the design of the new field reflected advanced pollution-control technologies resulting from a significantly better understanding of sensitive ecosystems.

"Zero Discharge Facility."
Cargill's Tampa plant is a "zero discharge facility." This means that process water from phosphate production is recycled throughout the production process, never reaching ground or surface water areas. An extensive process-water collection and drainage system ensures that no contaminated rainwater leaves the site.

Monitoring Systems.
The gypsum storage area is completely encircled by groundwater monitoring wells and a complete system of surface water discharge monitoring. Monitors are also installed in nearby streams at points both upstream and downstream from the storage area. All of these automatic or mechanical systems are supplemented by regular, on-site inspections by Cargill staff. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection do not consider gypsum a potential source of air emission problems.

New Extension Will Utilize Plastic Liner.
The liner for the gypsum extension being considered under the team permitting process will meet the new standards set by the State of Florida Department of Environmental Protection It is actually two separate liners. The first liner will be a 60 mill (the thickness of a nickel) density polyethylene liner. This is the required material for applications of this type all over the United States. In addition, two feet of gypsum will be compacted to a high density, becoming a second liner. A drain field will be placed on top of this composite liner.

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