COMANCO Advances on Multi-Pond Closure Work at Central Florida Phosphate Facility
Closing phosphate gypsum ponds is not a simple cap-and-cover operation. These closure efforts require careful sequencing, environmental controls, and constant coordination between crews, inspectors, and project managers.
At a Central Florida phosphate facility, COMANCO is performing simultaneous closure activities across multiple containment areas. The work includes earthwork, geosynthetic liner installation, seepage management, erosion protection, and final stabilization measures.
More than 120 personnel are currently working on site between COMANCO crews, subcontractors, and inspectors. The project highlights the level of coordination required to manage multiple closure operations while maintaining strong safety and quality standards.
Coordinating Complex Closure Work
Phosphate gypsum stacks and associated containment systems are heavily regulated due to the materials they manage and their proximity to surrounding communities and water resources. Closure construction must help maintain containment integrity, manage stormwater runoff, stabilize slopes, and reduce environmental risk over time.
If crews do not properly sequence and execute closure activities, operators can face erosion, seepage concerns, liner damage, and increased maintenance requirements. Poor closure practices can also create environmental risks that affect nearby groundwater and surface water systems.
These projects become more difficult when crews work across multiple containment areas at the same time. Earthwork crews, liner technicians, pipe installers, inspectors, and erosion control teams must work within carefully planned schedules to avoid delays and disruptions.
Florida weather conditions add another challenge. Heavy rainfall and changing site conditions can quickly affect subgrade preparation, access routes, and installation sequencing.
Managing Multiple Closure Areas Simultaneously
COMANCO’s current work involves closure operations across several phosphate gypsum containment areas. Each area has different construction requirements and schedules. Managing multiple active work fronts requires constant communication between field personnel, inspectors, subcontractors, and project leadership.
Closure activities continue progressing steadily across the site. One containment area currently has 89% of the liner installed, while another has reached 32% completion. Liner installation within an additional closure area was recently completed by Superintendents Carlos Garcia, Max Macedo, Chad Kendall, and Alejandro Loza, marking another major phase of construction progress.
This large-scale project extends beyond liner installation alone. The overall scope includes installing AGRU 60 mil HDPE liner, geocomposite, HDPE pipes, and high-strength textile within one closure area. Crews are also completing aggregate placement, erosion protection, and final stabilization activities throughout the site.
With several active work fronts progressing simultaneously, COMANCO continues coordinating crews, equipment, materials, and inspections to maintain efficiency across the site.
Maintaining Quality on Large Containment Projects
Large-scale closure projects require consistent quality control throughout every phase of construction. Installation crews must properly prepare subgrades, manage liner deployment, complete welding operations, and perform non-destructive testing to verify seam integrity.
Even minor installation inconsistencies can create future performance concerns if crews do not identify and correct them during construction. Maintaining quality standards becomes even more important when several scopes of work progress simultaneously.
Due to the scale of the project, multiple project management and field teams are working simultaneously across the active closure areas. The project team includes:
- Project Managers: Russell Britt and Anthony Rikansrud
- Assistant Project Managers: Brandon White, Dunkin Akkoyun, and Ronaldo Diaz-Olivera
- Project Engineer: Anthony D’Onofrio
- General Superintendent: Bill Newman
- Superintendents/Foreman: Miguel Medrano, Jose Mendez, Gerardo Ruiz, Max Macedo, Juan Morales, Alejandro Loza, Carlos Garcia, Chad Kendall, and Adan Loza
Crews continue staying ahead of schedule by maintaining safe operations, adapting to changing conditions, and preparing for whatever is thrown their way.
Delivering Reliable Closure Systems for the Future
Containment closure projects help reduce environmental risk and support the long-term management of phosphate facilities.
Properly constructed closure systems help contain gypsum materials while supporting stormwater management and protecting nearby groundwater resources. These systems improve environmental performance and help safeguard surrounding communities.
Successful closure work requires more than installing materials alone. Experienced field execution, proactive planning, and the ability to adapt to changing conditions all play important roles in project success.
As work continues across the site, COMANCO remains focused on delivering containment closure systems that support reliable environmental performance for years to come.
SAFETY ★ QUALITY ★ SERVICE
COMANCO is an environmental, commercial, and civil construction company specializing in constructing containment facilities.
Closure work at phosphate facilities requires careful coordination, experienced field execution, and a strong commitment to environmental protection. By managing multiple active work areas simultaneously, COMANCO continues to support safe and efficient containment closure operations in challenging construction conditions. These efforts help improve long-term containment performance while protecting surrounding groundwater and environmental resources.
To learn more about COMANCO’s experience with phosphate closure construction and geosynthetic containment systems, contact our team today.
📍 4301 Sterling Commerce Dr, Plant City, FL 33566
📞 (813) 988-8829
🌐 www.comanco.com