Water quality still a fear as crews pour massive amounts of concrete into toxic Mosaic sinkhole

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A massive sinkhole in Polk County that swallowed millions of gallons of radioactive water is getting filled with concrete.

Despite the work, people who live near the mess said they're still on edge because they’re worried about the quality of their water.

The sinkhole opened up about six months ago at the Mosaic company's New Wales plant in Mulberry.

Previous stories on the sinkhole: 

Giant sinkhole opens up in pond used to hold radioactive water outside Mulberry plant

Florida inks deal with fertilizer maker on Mulberry sinkhole cleanup

Repairs underway on 220-foot-deep Polk County sinkhole

Workers created a ring around the hole, so crews can safely fill it in.

Crews are pumping in about seven Olympic-sized swimming pools worth of concrete to fill the hole.

Mosaic estimates the work will cost about $50 million.

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Meanwhile, hundreds of people living near the site are still worried about the quality of their water.

“I don't drink with the water, I don't cook with the water, I use bottled water all together,” said resident Joyce Hunter. “I do shower in the water and I will probably start to glow one day.”

Hunter's well water test came back clean right after the disaster, but now she's waiting for the testing company to come back for round two.

“All I'm concerned about is my well water,” she said.

Many residents are hoping the 215 million gallons of radioactive water isn't affecting their private wells.

Officials said the tainted water hasn't left Mosaic's property.

The state is forcing the company to continue testing the wells every quarter this year and twice in 2018.

“This is not closure. We just have to keep our eyes and ears open,” said Hunter.

Mosaic is hoping to finish what it’s calling the “initial stabilizing phase” of fixing the mess by filling in the sinkhole by the end of May.

Cox Media Group