The Section 21 Wellfield Restoration Project will determine whether surface water and reclaimed water are viable sources for restoring wetlands and lakes within a wellfield. The project is a cooperative effort among Tampa Bay Water, the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the city of St. Petersburg and Hillsborough County.
The Section 21 Wellfield is one of 13 groundwater facilities operated by Tampa Bay Water. The 600-acre wellfield is located in northwest Hillsborough County at the intersection of Van Dyke Road and Dale Mabry Highway. Wetlands and lakes make up about one-half of the wellfield. The city of St. Petersburg owns most of the property; Hillsborough County leases it from the city and manages it as a public recreational park (Lake Park). Tampa Bay Water owns small parcels of land surrounding each of the production wells.
The project concept is to pipe surface water and/or reclaimed water to selected wetland locations within the wellfield. Water would then flow through the interconnected lake and wetland systems on the property and increase lake and wetland water levels. The project has the potential to increase water levels in 225 acres of lakes and wetlands.
The proposed surface water source is the Interceptor Canal. The Interceptor Canal is located one-half mile south of the wellfield. The canal conveys stormwater runoff from surrounding residential areas westward to Brushy Creek. The proposed source of reclaimed water is the Hillsborough County Northwest Reuse System. If constructed, the project will include an extensive environmental monitoring program to evaluate the effects of restoration activities on water levels and water quality in lakes, wetlands and the aquifer.
Project Costs
The cost of feasibility evaluations to date, not including future design and construction activities, is approximately $1.7 million. The cost is being shared among the EPA ($841,000), Tampa Bay Water ($420,500), and SWFWMD ($420,500).
Status
The first phase of the project, anticipated to be complete in 2006, will assess potential health risks associated with constituents that may be found in the reclaimed water and stormwater. The first phase of the project will also evaluate whether the project is feasible from a cost-benefit perspective. If the results of the risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis are favorable, the project may proceed into design and permitting activities.
