Pipeline
If built, groundwater from the Cone Ranch project will be transferred through a pipeline to a regional water treatment facility. From there it will be treated blended with other treatment supplies and distributed to Tampa Bay Water's member governments.
The route selection process includes developing preliminary routes, soliciting public comment, selecting alternate routes, performing a detailed analysis on alternate routes, soliciting public input, performing a final analysis and making a final recommendation.
Five preliminary routes were developed based on the following factors:
- Use of existing rights-of-way/disturbed corridors
- Impact to residents
- Environmental considerations
- Impact to traffic
- Cost to ratepayers
- Fixed starting and ending point
- County input
- Florida Department of Transportation input
- Input from other utility agencies
- Crossing Interstate-4
Public input and a preliminary analysis of the five routes led to the elimination of routes 2 and 4. The remaining three routes were evaluated based on the following factors:
- Acres of wetland impact
- Wildlife habitat
- Potential for encountering hazardous wastes
- Permitting complexities
- Consistency with future projects
- Long-range area planning
- Access road requirements
- Easement/property acquisition requirements
- Safety issues
- Conflicts with existing utilities
- Traffic impacts
- Geotechnical considerations
- Historic and archaeological site issues
- Community input/public comment
- Pipe cost
- Cost of special construction techniques
- Pavement replacement costs
- Access road costs
- Additional costs of construction in wetland areas
- Wetland mitigation costs
- Easement costs
Based on these evaluation factors, the project team's preliminary recommendation is Route 1-A. This route goes south along SR 39, then west on Bruton Road, south and then west on Dormany Road, south on Five Acre Road, west on Knights-Griffin Road, south on Gallagher Road and then toward the connection point located at Kingsway Road. The route is located entirely within the public right-of-way.
The other alternative route goes south along SR 39, then west on Bruton Road, north on Dormany Road, west on Quail Meadow Road, south on Five Acre Road, west on Knights-Griffin Road, south on Gallagher and then towards the connection point located at Kingsway Road.
The pipeline route study will be updated. A preferred pipeline route is scheduled to be presented to the Tampa Bay Water board of directors for approval in early 2004.
