Tampa Bay Water Blog

Tampa Bay Water’s current supply is projected to meet regional water demand through 2027. Those same projections show the region will need approximately 10 million gallons per day (mgd)  of new supply by 2028 and an additional 10 mgd by 2035. However, South Hillsborough County demand projections show a need for water by 2024 and a short-term program is required to increase the delivery of existing water supplies.

Tampa Bay Water is investigating potential options to meet the region’s long-term needs and additional options to meet Hillsborough County’s shorter-term needs:

• Surface Water Treatment Plant Expansion with Existing Sources
  This facility can be optimized and expanded to treat additional water from the Alafia River, Tampa Bypass Canal and regional reservoir. Tampa Bay Water is also evaluating the feasibility of building a new surface water treatment plant near the reservoir.  This project could yield 10 mgd of additional supply at an estimated capital cost of $164 million and estimated unit cost of $3.89 per 1,000 gallons.
• Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant Expansion
  Designed to accommodate future expansion, this project could yield 10 mgd of additional supply at an estimated capital cost of $244 million and estimated unit cost of $6.58 per 1,000 gallons.
• New Groundwater Treatment Plant via Aquifer Recharge Credits via the South Hillsborough County Aquifer Recharge Project (SHARP)
  A new groundwater wellfield could be developed in southern Hillsborough County by purchasing recharge credits from Hillsborough County via its South Hillsborough County Aquifer Recharge Project (SHARP). This project is currently on hold at the request of Hillsborough County as the County considers the best long-term use of its reclaimed water. Tampa Bay Water will continue to work with the County on this potential long-term solution as part of the Master Water Plan.