A Documentary on Tampa Bay's Greatest Environmental Success Story
Tampa Bay Water's 25th anniversary is a moment to honor the elected officials, utility directors and city and county administrators who envisioned a regional solution and worked to make that vision a reality.
Unless you have lived here for decades, it’s hard to imagine the water wars that plagued the Tampa Bay region in the 1990s. Our region relied solely on groundwater from wellfields, but increasing demand driven by population growth as well as severe drought and development caused water levels in lakes and wetlands to drop, damaging the environment and threatening our quality of life and our economic future. Local governments spent millions fighting lawsuits against each other before forward-looking public officials agreed to work together to find a solution that would be fair to everyone.
Two years of negotiations led to the creation of Tampa Bay Water in 1998. Watch our documentary to learn about the problem, the pressures and the people that worked together to catch Lightning in a Bottle, creating a regional solution and writing Tampa Bay's greatest environmental success story that has benefited our region for the past 25 years.
Tampa Bay Water Introduction
Tampa Bay Water supplies wholesale drinking water to Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. We supply water to more than 2.6 million people through the governments we serve.
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Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant
Since September 2002, Tampa Bay Water’s state-of-the-art surface water treatment plant has provided high-quality drinking water to the Tampa Bay region. The plant is the hub of the utility’s Enhanced Surface Water System—the first alternative water supply built to serve local governments that traditionally relied on groundwater.
C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir
The 15.5-billion gallon C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir makes the region’s water supply more drought resistant, reliable and flexible. Surface water from the Tampa Bypass Canal, Hillsborough and Alafia rivers is stored in the reservoir during wet times. During dry times, when river is unavailable, water stored in the reservoir is withdrawn, treated and blended with other supplies to serve the region.
Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant
The Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination facility is a drought-proof, alternative water supply that provides up to 25 million gallons per day of drinking water to the region. Seawater coming into the plant goes through a rigorous pretreatment process then freshwater is separated from the seawater using reverse osmosis. The end product is high-quality drinking water that supplies up to 10 percent of the region’s needs.
Tampa Bay Water – an Environmental Success Story
Tampa Bay Water and the Southwest Florida Water Management District (District) are excited to announce the successful environmental recovery efforts in northern Tampa Bay. Learn how our utility, the district and our member governments have worked together to make this happen.
Tampa Bay Water 25th Anniversary
Tampa Bay Water is proudly celebrating its 25th anniversary. It’s a major milestone, showing that Tampa Bay Water is a model of regional cooperation and innovation.
The Problem
Rapid population growth, a solitary, stressed water source, disparate costs for drinking water, and no equitable way to fund new sources were all factors that ignited the region’s Water Wars in the 1980s and ’90s. Learn more about the problem and the different factions that faced off in the Water Wars.
Water Wars
The Water Wars of the 1980s and ’90s divided the region. But they also brought us together to create a truly regional solution. See how Tampa Bay Water’s creation 25 years ago achieved equality among member governments, fueled the region’s economic growth and enhanced our environment in ways previously unimaginable.
The Vision
Tampa Bay Water was created based on a shared vision of common ownership, common rates. Watch to learn how the vision came about and shaped Tampa Bay Water into a truly regional utility.
Exclusivity
Before 1998, the three cities and three counties that now make up Tampa Bay Water paid water rates based on which facility produced their water. And building new facilities came at great and disparate costs. See how exclusivity ended parochialism and guaranteed a uniform water rate for all.
The Economy
For 25 years, Tampa Bay Water has fueled our region’s economy by providing reliable, high-quality drinking water while protecting the environment. And the confidence of knowing when you turn on the tap that water will flow has allowed the tri-county area to grow and prosper. See how our regional solution has helped our economy not to only survive, but to thrive.
Lightning In A Bottle Panel Discussion
Florida Humanities and the St. Petersburg Museum of History hosted a screening of “Lightning In A Bottle,” a documentary on Tampa Bay Water, followed by a panel discussion, on World Water Day, March 22, 2024.
Tampa Bay Water Year In Review 2024
Supplying drinking water to more than 2.6 million people now and in the future is an essential public service that fuels economic growth in Tampa Bay. And it’s not possible without the support of the Florida Legislature, our member governments and regulatory partners, our dedicated staff and our community.
This year, Tampa Bay Water achieved its mission despite challenges faced by many Florida communities – a prolonged drought followed by back-to-back hurricanes.
Yet, we fulfilled our promise and delivered nearly 200 million gallons of clean safe drinking water per day to our six member governments and the residents and businesses they serve.
See how we made it all happen in 2024!
Five Reasons Why the Tampa Bay Region Will Have Reliable Water Supply in 20 Years
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Glazer Children’s Museum opens an interactive water exhibit
Edible Aquifer with Tampa Bay Water
Why Water's Worth It
Recognizing Our Essential Water Utility Employees
Value Water - Tampa Bay Water
Our general manager, Chuck Carden, reflects on the impacts of recent storm events and the value of drinking water to our Tampa Bay community. Imagine a Day Without Water is National Day of Awareness highlighting the importance of access to reliable, clean water. See more community stories at tampabaywater.org/valuewater.
Value Water - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers #ValueWater because it supports their winning culture. Stephanie Kolloff-O'Neill, Director of Performance Nutrition for the #Bucs, and Captain Fear tell us about the importance of hydration for Imagine a Day Without Water.
Value Water - Tampa Bay Rays and Rowdies
The Tampa Bay Rays and Tampa Bay Rowdies value water because baseball and soccer wouldn't be the same without it. Mike Duebel of the Tampa Bay Rays and Jeff Parkinson of the Tampa Bay Rowdies show ways they rely on a reliable water supply and why they #ValueWater.
Value Water - Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
We've partnered with Hillsborough County Fire Rescue to emphasize why they #ValueWater – it's simple, water saves lives. Water is essential to their mission of providing public safety.
Value Water - The Florida Aquarium
Value Water - Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
The Tampa Bay area loves its local brews, and it'd be impossible to keep our craft beer scene thriving without water. Manny with Florida Avenue Brewing Co. tells us why they value water and highlights the vital role that high-quality water plays in the brewing industry.
Value Water - Great Explorations
At Great Explorations Children's Museum, imagination fuels creativity and play. Morris the Explorasaurus and the entire Great Explorations team value water because it is essential in fostering the joy of learning through creativity, play, and exploration.
Value Water - LifeLink
Value Water - Girl Scouts of West Central Florida
The Girl Scouts of West Central Florida value water, because without it, they wouldn't be able to continue making the world a better place! From doing science experiments to going for a hike, the Girl Scouts show us all the activities that would not be possible without water.
Value Water - Port of Tampa Bay
Value Water - Tampa Bay Watch
Value Water - Keep Pinellas Beautiful
Value Water - Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful
Value Water - Tampa International Airport
Without clean, reliable water, we wouldn’t have air travel. Paul Ridgeway, Director of Maintenance at Tampa International Airport, tells us how they use water every day and why they #ValueWater.
Value Water - ZooTampa
Animals and humans depend on water to live. Kerry Sanchez, an animal care specialist at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, and Ellie, an African bush elephant, show us how they use water every day and why they #ValueWater.
Value Water - Glazer Children's Museum
Without clean, reliable water, we wouldn’t have museums. Sarah Cole, President and CEO of Glazer Children's Museum, tells us how they use water every day and why they #ValueWater.
Value Water - Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
A day without water would be a public health crisis. Dr. Ebony Hunter, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, tells us how they use water every day and why they #ValueWater.
Value Water - University of South Florida
Water is at work every day maintaining our academic and research facilities. Suchi Urs Daniels, Sustainability Manager at University of South Florida, and Patel Center for Global Solutions student, Brianna Kmec, tell us how they use water every day and why they #ValueWater.
Think About Water
Water-Saving Tips
Sam's Conservation Quest
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards - Landscape Design and Plant Selection
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Award winners discuss how they save water in their landscapes through the use of natural rainfall, water-thrifty micro irrigation, hand watering and smart irrigation systems.
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards - Landscape Design and Plant Selection 2014
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Award winners discuss how they created beautiful, water-efficient landscapes through careful design and plant selection.
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards - Retaining Trees and Native Vegetation in the Landscape 2014
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Award winners discuss the benefits of retaining trees and native vegetation within their landscapes.
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards - Efficient Irrigation 2014
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards - Efficient Irrigation
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards - Stormwater Runoff Prevention and Rainwater Harvesting 2014
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Award winners discuss how rainwater harvesting systems, like rain barrels and cisterns, benefit the homeowner and the landscape.
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards - Stormwater Runoff Prevention 2014
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Award winners discuss how they incorporated features into their landscapes that prevent stormwater runoff and minimize the amount of pollutants reaching our waterways.
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards - Stormwater Runoff Prevention
Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards Promo
The Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards program is designed to recognize attractive, water-conserving landscapes in homes and businesses. The program seeks to recognize outstanding examples of water wise landscaping and promote Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ principles within the Tampa Bay area.
Reservoir Solar Energy Project
Aquifer Performance Test
Brandon Booster Station
Tampa Bay Regional Water Quality
Worried about Water? Tracking Climate Assures Supply
Discovery Channel How Stuff Works: Ocean Water
Discovery Channel How it’s Made: Desalinated Seawater
Sources and Cycles: Balancing Water Needs
