The nitrogen content of the water being discharged is above 200 mg TN/L.  That is about 100 times higher than urban stormwater runoff, about 100 times higher than the processed sewage what we know as reuse of treated wastewater discharges, and about 10 times higher than raw sewage (varies a bit).  

As of April 5th 2021, there was discharge of about 100 million gallons.  At the concentration measured (of the discharge) that results in about  1 ton per million gallons, so it was about 100 tons discharged to the bay.  An 18 lb bag of Scotts Bonus S has a formula of 29-0-10, which means 29% of its weight is nitrogen, or about 5 pounds.  The loads to the bay were about equal to 40,000 bags of fertilizer.  If they drain down the entire volume of 480 million gallons, and the concentration stays the same, it will equal almost 200,000 bags of fertilizer added to the bay in about a week or so.  Not good - at all.  We're lucky if it doesn't spread down into Sarasota Bay from Tampa Bay, and lucky if it only sets us back years, not decades.

There are too many people and news outlets calling the water toxic creating a perception of a serious industrial toxic water release. It is not! The water being discharged is water fish for years have been living within this cell within the  phosphogypsum stack from where the water is being discharged. The water is primarily left over bay water from the dredging and rainwater. THE WATER  DISCHARGED TO THE BAY AT THIS TIME IT IS NOT RADIOACTIVE OR ACIDIC INDUSTRIAL PROCESSED WATER. The cells were lined  before the dredged material was placed inside. At the most, any suggestion as to the water being toxic  would be from a secondary impact of too many nutrients. The excess nutrients will impact the water in and around Tampa Bay with the most likely scenario causing an algae bloom such as a red tide or another harmful algae bloom. Fish could primarily die off from the lack of oxygen and toxins caused by this Algae. 

Yes. Statewide DEP staff across divisions continue to monitor and sample water quality in this area daily. This monitoring includes sampling to determine changes in salinity, dissolved oxygen, clarity, nutrient levels, turbidity, radionuclides and other variables that will determine any changes in baseline water quality status in this area.  According to FDEP as of April 6th, dissolved oxygen, salinity and pH all meet water quality standards. 

At this time there is no indication from water samples the fish are unsafe to eat or the water unsafe for recreation. The water is showing signs of increase in chlorophyll which is expected since the plant life in the water will feed on the extra nutrients.