Project Background
Two active drinking water supply wells were operated by Hillsborough County in the Eagles neighborhood in northwest Hillsborough County until 1995. At that time, area residents were connected to the Hillsborough County water system. The Eagles wells were taken offline and have remained inactive since, except for intermittent use during 1998.
The County transferred the wells and the associated Water Use Permit and easements to Tampa Bay Water in October 1998 as part of the agreement that created Tampa Bay Water as a regional utility.
Since the Eagles Wells operated as a viable public drinking water source for a long period of time and since the wells remain in place, re-development of the project was determined to be cost-effective, and its feasibility as a drinking water supply project for the region was explored.
Recent hydrologic testing of both wells determined that Well 2 (see site map) is a viable candidate for re-development to supply drinking water. Well 1 is not a candidate for re-development, but could be converted to a monitoring well used to monitor hydrologic conditions. A new supply well would replace Well 1. Production could be rotated between the two wells to increase reliability of supplies and reduce environmental impacts.
Together, the two supply wells in the Eagles development could cost-effectively provide the currently permitted quantity of 198,000 gallons per day of drinking water in an environmentally sound manner. This capacity could be increased to 490,000 gallons per day of drinking water with no significant environmental impacts. However, before any increase in withdrawal quantities could take place, staff would require Tampa Bay Water Board approval to submit a water use permit modification to the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD). A water use permit modification for increased withdrawal quantities would subsequently need to be approved by the SWFWMD as the permitting authority.
The Eagles Wells Enhancement project includes the re-development of Well 2, the replacement of Well 1, and the installation of well houses for both wells. The water will be transported through a new pipeline to the wholesale water supply system near the Cosme Water Treatment Plant. Tampa Bay Water will submit an application to modify the existing Water Use Permit by letter to replace Well 1 and adjust the individual well quantities for rotational purposes.
The Eagles Wells Enhancement project was approved by the Tampa Bay Water Board of Directors at its July 9, 2001 meeting. It is part of the regional Master Water Plan to restore the environment and meet future drinking water needs in the Tampa Bay area.
Early technical evaluations have determined that re-development of the wells and construction of a pipeline can be safely accomplished without adverse impact to the environment. The project has included Public Input, data collection and analysis, hydrologic modeling, environmental assessments and design.
Re-development of Well 2 includes well refurbishment, and design and installation of a new pump. Neighboring property owners will be informed in advance of these activities. Well 2 is surrounded by a chain link fence and will be equipped with a well house and mature landscaping that will conceal it from view.
Tampa Bay Water and its engineering firm have worked with the property owner to determine a replacement location for existing production Well 1. A well house and mature landscaping will be installed around the well so that it blends with the neighborhood’s existing appearance.
Tampa Bay Water must construct a pipeline connecting the Eagles Wells to the main water pipeline that transfers water to the wholesale water supply system near the Cosme Water Treatment Plant. Consulting engineers developed two potential pipeline route options along a general corridor. After input from property owners and others who live along the proposed corridors, a final route was selected and approved by the Tampa Bay Water board at its January 2002 meeting. Final design of the replacement for Well 1 and the pipeline is in progress.
| Date |
|
Milestone |
| Summer 2001 |
|
Alternative Well Review/Preliminary Engineering
Alternative Pipeline Route Review |
| Fall 2001 |
Public Input on Pipeline Route Taken |
| January 2002 |
Pipeline route approved by Tampa Bay Water Board |
| July 2002 |
Submit Application for Water Use Permit Letter Modification toSWFWMD |
The public has multiple opportunities to provide input and help shape all Tampa Bay Water projects. Public input was solicited via a pipeline route corridor survey sent to residents along two technically feasible routes in October 2001. That input along with technical studies, were used to determine the route recommended to and approved by the Tampa Bay Water Board in January 2002.
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