Environmental Restoration Program

The Consolidated Water Use Permit for 11 long-producing regional wellfields requires pumping to be reduced from these facilities to enable environmental recovery. From 1995-2002, the average annual production permitted from these facilities was 158 million gallons per day (mgd). By the end of 2003, average annual production from these facilities was required to be limited to 121 mgd or less and must be 90 mgd or less by the end of 2008.

Since September 2002, Tampa Bay Water has significantly reduced production from these 11 wellfields as new Master Water Plan supplies have become operational. In fact, environmental recovery has begun five years ahead of schedule, due to unseasonably wet weather in 2003 and the new Master Water Plan projects coming on line.

Tampa Bay Water is implementing an Environmental Restoration Program to address lakes and wetlands that will not fully recover under the pumpage cutbacks. The elements of the Environmental Restoration Program are described below.

In combination, the Environmental Restoration Program and pumping cutbacks will benefit the Tampa Bay area by increasing water levels in lakes and wetlands in the vicinity of these wellfields. Increased water levels will enhance ecological systems, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities and aesthetic values.