POLK COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Draft permits have been issued by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, enabling the Mosaic Company to construct two exploratory wells in Polk County.

The proposed deep underground wells could eventually be injected with treated wastewater.

Mosaic claims these wells have a proven safety track record and could potentially diminish the need for discharging into surface waters. However, some locals are concerned about possible groundwater contamination and its long-term consequences.

According to state officials, underground injection control technology safely manages non-hazardous, treated wastewater and stormwater, keeping it from entering lakes or rivers.

Mosaic reports that over 220 such wells are present statewide. The state DEP has now released draft permits for Mosaic to create two additional exploratory deep wells in Polk County: one located in Bartow and another in Mulberry.

“Constructing and developing a UIC well involves a very intricate and exacting process,” explained David Brown, RESPEC’s National Practice Lead in Hydrogeology.

Both wells are planned to reach a depth of 8,000 feet. The permits allow Mosaic to gather data to assess the safety of injecting treated wastewater in future operations.

Back in 2021, more than 200 million gallons of untreated wastewater was discharged into Tampa Bay because of a leak at Piney Point, the former phosphate facility in Manatee County. It ultimately led to the opening of a deep injection well.

“That’s somewhat of a good example because that was a terrible situation that occurred at Piney Point but as a result of that a UIC well was installed and has basically safely disposed of some of that water that was unfortunately released,” said Brown.

Nearby residents back then expressed concerns of the well, built 3,300-feet underground.

‘You have people that are really, really concerned about the environment and what is going on over there, they were just a lot of unknown,” said Linda Willis, who lives near Piney Point.

Mosaic cannot dispose of wastewater under the current permits.

Brown said following the drilling and data collection, if approved, once it’s put into operation, it will be monitored and inspected every five years.

Public hearings will be held in mid-September for the community to weigh-in:

• For the Bartow Permit: Tuesday, September 09, 2025 – 4:00pm – 7:00pm EDT @ 1702 Highway 17 South Bartow, FL 33830
• For the Mulberry Permit: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 – 4:00pm – 7:00pm EDT @ 1702 Highway 17 South Bartow, FL 33830

The DEP did not respond to 8 On Your Side’s request for information.