Award recognizes outstanding treatment plant operation, maintenance and compliance
Tampa Bay Water’s state-of-the-art Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant was given the 2012 Plant Operations Excellence Award by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), adding yet another chapter in the plant’s history of success.
The award recognizes public drinking water and domestic wastewater facilities that demonstrate excellence in operation, maintenance, compliance, innovative treatment, waste reduction and pollution prevention, conservation, recycling and other special achievements.
“We are extremely pleased and proud of the performance, efficiency and reliability of the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant,” said Chuck Carden, general manager for Tampa Bay Water. “Although the plant was honored with the award, the real winners are the people of the Tampa Bay region.”
Operating under a public-private partnership with Veolia Water North America, the plant has provided high-quality drinking water to the Tampa Bay region since 2002. It is the workhorse of one of the most reliable, diverse water supply systems in the country and was the first alternative drinking water supply to serve the Tampa Bay region, which traditionally relied on groundwater.
The first phase of the project was completed $120 million under the originally projected budget. The second phase expanded the plant to nearly double its capacity. It is the largest design-build-operate drinking water project in U.S. history, and continues to be a model for other cities facing growing populations, tight budgets and water resource challenges.
The Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant also offers extensive environmental benefits to the region. Implementation of this alternative resource relieved pressure on the Floridan Aquifer, allowing lakes and wetland to recover and ensuring a reliable public water supply for future generations.
The award from FDEP is one more indication that Tampa Bay Water reliably provides clean, safe water to the Tampa Bay region.
“This award serves as validation of the hard work and dedication we exhibit daily in operating and maintaining the Tampa Bay Water Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant,” said Jack Thornburgh, project manager for Veolia.
Each year the FDEP recognizes a facility in each of the Department’s six district offices. The plant won the Large Communities category, which is given to treatment plants that serve more than 50,000 persons, in the FDEP’s Southwest District. Tampa Bay Water’s Surface Water Treatment Plant serves more than 2.3 million people.
Potential nominees are required to complete a lengthy and stringent application process in order to be considered for the award. Facilities are then judged on the following criteria:
For more on the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant please visit https://www.tampabaywater.org/tampa-bay-regional-river-water-treatment-plant.
About Tampa Bay Water Tampa Bay Water is the largest wholesale water supplier in Florida, providing high-quality drinking water to its members, who in turn, supply water to more than 2.3 million residents of the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Water member governments include the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa, and the counties of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas. tampabaywater.org
About Veolia Water North America Based in Chicago, Veolia Water North America is the leading provider of comprehensive water and wastewater partnership services to municipal and industrial customers, providing services to people in approximately 550 North American communities. The company is part of the Veolia Environment companies in North America, with 30,000 North American employees providing sustainable environmental solutions in water management, waste services, and energy management. veolianorthamerica.com
