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Public Input

Public Input has been an important component of Tampa Bay Water’s planning for its new projects. Dialogue with the community about these projects began in 1995 and increased between 1997-1999. Here are dates of some of the public meetings at which the water treatment plant was discussed with the community. 

  • July 9, 1997

  • August 26, 1997

  • November 4, 1997

  • February 12, 1998

  • March 2, 1999

  • March 25, 1999

  • May 6, 1999

  • May 10, 1999

In 1997, a series of open houses and public meetings were held in the Thonotosassa area. Engineers for Tampa Bay Water had identified several preliminary sites for the proposed regional water treatment plant and the agency wanted to discuss a potential Thonotosassa site with area residents and gather their input.

Residents were opposed to the preliminary site, but willing to continue a dialogue with Tampa Bay Water. Several meetings over a period of months led to residents suggesting the current industrial site at U.S. 301 and Broadway in Hillsborough County. After investigating the site, a team of professionals found it to be suitable. It was purchased by Tampa Bay Water in 1999 as the site for the new regional water treatment plant.

In addition, our Public Input program included briefings with neighborhood groups, civic clubs and numerous environmental and government agencies. These dialogues helped us ensure that our plant would be acceptable to the residents of Tampa Bay, environmentally responsible and would meet all public health and safety requirements. Residents also had a chance to comment on the appearance of the plant.

Some of the groups we met with included:

  • Hillsborough County Commission

  • Hillsborough County Water Team

  • Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission

  • Hillsborough County Health Department

  • City of Tampa Water Department

  • Southwest Florida Regional Water Management District

  • Greenways Task Force

  • Thonotosassa Civic Association

  • Temple Terrace Lions Club

  • Temple Terrace Rotary Club

  • Hillsborough River Interlocal Planning Advisory Board

  • Agency on Bay Management

  • US Army Corps of Engineers

  • American Public Works Association

  • National Audubon Society

The community was involved in site selection and had significant input to design and other aspects of the regional water treatment plant.


This page was last modified: 4/28/2006 4:22:45 PM

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