On July 19, 2005, an area business owner contacted the City of Tampa regarding the dumping of an unknown material in a drainage ditch along Channelside Drive. The dumping was estimated to have occurred on July 16, 2005. On July 25, 2005, additional material was found to have been dumped in the ditch. The City of Tampa requested Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission assistance.
On August 02, 2005, FLDEP was contacted by HCEPC. FLDEP found approximately 100 yards of a drainage ditch was covered with a black sludge like material. On August 12, 2005, FLDEP sampled the material. Analytical results indicate the material has high levels of lead. Based on the size and scope of the incident, FLDEP has requested EPA assistance.
