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It takes six to 10 years to plan, permit, design and build drinking water facilities.  Planning for the future ensures the region's supply can meet demand.

Demand projections show an additional 12 million gallons per day (mgd) of new drinking water is needed in 2012 to meet the growing water needs of the Hillsborough-Pasco-Pinellas County region. A total of 45 mgd is needed by 2025.

After examining a number of options, Tampa Bay Water's Board of Directors selected Downstream Enhancements Phases A/B to meet the region's water needs in 2012 and beyond.

Downstream Enhancements is a series of phased projects that build on Tampa Bay Water’s existing Enhanced Surface Water System to provide an environmentally sound and economically feasible supply.  As part of the project, Tampa Bay Water's existing water use permits at the Hillsborough River and Tampa Bypass Canal have been modified to use additional mid-range (higher) flows while continuing to protect low and high flows on the water bodies. The project also includes expanding the Surface Water Treatment Plant. 

Two later phases of the Downstream Enhancements project were also approved for continued study.  These phases could include building a second reservoir, use of additional mid-range (higher) flows from the Alafia River, and downstream augmentation, as alternatives to meet the region’s water supply needs in 2025.