It will take months to complete remediation of the largest sinkhole in Pasco County, Fla.’s recent history, county officials say. Seven houses have been lost or condemned since the sinkhole was reported at 7:21 a.m. on July 14. That day, two houses collapsed into the hole, which initially measured 225 ft long and 50 ft deep. As the cavity’s dimensions grew to between 260 ft and 180 ft, the county red-tagged five additional houses.
On July 31, the county awarded a $640,000 contract to Ceres Environmental Services, Sarasota, to remove debris and stabilize the sinkhole. The county estimated the total initial cost of the sinkhole, including fill, other services and fees, at $1.3 million. Earlier, Intertek PSI received an estimated $50,000 contract to test the structural integrity of the streets and easements that will be traveled by trucks and heavy equipment to access the site.