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Description The 15-billion gallon, above-ground, off-stream reservoir is an integral part of Tampa Bay Water's Enhanced Surface Water System. It holds water skimmed from the Tampa Bypass Canal, Alafia and Hillsborough rivers. When water levels are high at these sources, water is withdrawn for storage in the reservoir. Then, during dry times, water from the reservoir is sent to the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant and to our customers. Location The reservoir is located on 5,200 acres purchased by the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and Tampa Bay Water. The site is located in southeastern Hillsborough County. Design Florida's first above-ground, off-stream reservoir dedicated to water supply required extensive public participation, environmental commitment and design excellence. A team of more than 115 firms assisted Tampa Bay Water in siting, designing, permitting and constructing this flagship facility. The permitting process required new design standards, making the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir the benchmark by which other reservoirs in Florida are measured. Every detail of the project was scrutinized, and a total of 15 permits were obtained from eight local, state and national regulatory agencies. Safety Safety is paramount in the reservoir design, construction and operations. The facility is an earthen structure, with an embankment as wide as a football field at its base and that averages 50 feet in height. Armored with 16 inches of soil cement, including a stair step design that rings the top, the reservoir is built to withstand hurricane force wind and rain. Instrumentation built into the reservoir and various measurements taken provide feedback on soil moisture, stability and other safety factors. Mitigation Areas Nearly 450 acres of wetlands were created or enhanced on the overall site, and over 600 acres of upland areas were enhanced and preserved. Located on three separate areas to the east, north and west of the reservoir embankment, these mitigation areas include restoration of agricultural land and the planting of over 1.5 million herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. Pipeline An 8-mile long, 7-foot diameter pipeline connects the reservoir to the South-Central Hillsborough Intertie and the rest of the water supply network. When needed, water flows by gravity from the reservoir through pipelines to the Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant. At the treatment plant, the water is treated and blended with desalinated seawater and treated groundwater, then delivered to our customers. Cost Congressman C.W. Bill Young, namesake of the reservoir, led the federal funding effort in support of this important regional water resource. The $146 million facility received $57 million from the United States Environmental Protection Agency through a series of Congressional appropriations. The remaining $89 million in construction was funded by Tampa Bay Water and its member governments. Environmental Impact Statement An extensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was prepared for the reservoir in order to receive federal funding. The EIS concluded that the facility would increase the dependable yield of the surface water system without adverse environmental effects, and that the selected site was the best among available options. |
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