Who is Tampa Bay Water?
Tampa Bay Water is a special district of the State of Florida. We are a regional water supply authority formed to develop and supply drinking water to Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa.
Why are you conducting this test?
Tampa Bay Water recently decommissioned a well in the Brandon area due to water quality concerns. A new well is needed to replace this lost supply, so Hillsborough County’s needs can be met. The tests will determine whether either parcel is a suitable site for a public drinking water well.
What will you be doing on-site?
To date, our efforts involved drilling monitor wells and testing those wells to determine aquifer characteristics and water quality at each site. Those initial tests were favorable, so more detailed aquifer performance tests will be conducted in the fall.
Why do you have to do so much testing?
Groundwater quality varies greatly in the Brandon region. Aquifer characteristics and water quality differ from site to site. We took a conservative approach by conducting preliminary tests before moving forward with more extensive aquifer performance tests. The Southwest Florida Water Management District, which regulates water use in the region, requires extensive testing before granting permission for well operations.
What happens to the water that is pumped during the test?
Water pumped during the test will be directed to a drainage area.
Can we use that water to water our lawns?
Unfortunately not. We are required to direct the water to drainage areas to ensure it is efficiently directed away from homes.
What about safety? How will you ensure neighborhood children don’t play on the site?
Safety is our top priority. Our contractors and consultants will continue to secure the sites each day to deter children. We ask that you continue helping us in this effort by asking children to avoid playing in the area.
What kind of noise will I hear during the day?
During the pump test, on-site generators and the well pump will run continuously for two-weeks. A quiet generator designed for work in neighborhoods will be used. We anticipate that only those living directly adjacent to the site may be able hear this generator during the pumping test. The generator is designed to produce no more sound than a typical dishwasher.
Is Hillsborough County aware of your efforts?
Yes. Tampa Bay Water works closely with Hillsborough County to meet the County’s needs and keep them informed of our efforts.
If your tests are favorable and you install a public supply well, how much water will it produce?
Production capacity will depend on the results of the aquifer performance test. We hope the well will be able to replace the quantity lost at the decommissioned well, which was 1.25 million gallons per day on an average annual basis.
If you install a public supply well, what will that entail?
The well used for the aquifer performance test will be the production well, should the results show favorable water quality and aquifer characteristics. Typically, the well and pump is contained in a well house. Some above-ground appurtenances will also be visible, such as monitor wells. If the Valrico Road site is favorable for a public supply well, it would not be operational until 2011.
Would my neighbors and I be receiving this water?
Yes, if you receive your drinking water from Hillsborough County Utilities.
