Tampa Bay Water Blog

Tampa Bay Water is constantly planning ahead, with projects in the works to meet the water demands of our region now and for generations to come. The Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a strategic, long-term initiative designed to ensure the reliability, sustainability and resilience of the region’s water supply infrastructure. The CIP is a comprehensive 10-year plan that includes both previously approved and newly proposed capital projects. These projects are updated annually 

Work was recently completed at the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant to help ensure a continued supply of water from TECO’s Big Bend power plant. A newly completed seawater intake, including a new pump station and pipeline, will allow Tampa Bay Water to adapt to changing operations at the TECO plant and ensure a steady flow of water to the desalination plant.  

At Tampa Bay Water’s Land O’ Lakes lab and administrative building, a new transformer was installed to enable back-up generator power at these facilities. These upgrades are critical for the lab to continue to process water quality samples during emergency situations. 

The total/combined construction costs for these two projects were $22.6 million, and came in more than $1.5 million under budget.   

There are currently eight projects in active construction with a budgeted cost of $28.7 million throughout Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

• Upgrades to 24 well sites at the Eldridge-Wilde Wellfield include new wellhouses, pumps and motors. These improvements will enhance water production reliability and are scheduled for completion by summer 2026. 
• Replacement of chemical feed systems and piping at the Cypress Creek Water Treatment Plant is underway for chlorine bleach, caustic and ammonia. The new underground piping and electric lines are complete, and chlorine bleach systems are being tested. Upgrades to caustic and ammonia feed pumps will follow, improving operational safety and efficiency. 
• Installation of new variable frequency drives (VFDs) at the desalination plant will improve control over pump speeds, boosting energy efficiency and system responsiveness. 
• Modernization of pump control equipment at the Cypress Creek Pump Station includes replacing one VFD and updating two others with new control boards and modules, enhancing reliability and performance. 
• Technology upgrades at our data centers in Clearwater and Lank O’ Lakes include new firewalls, backup power systems and servers. These improvements strengthen cybersecurity and ensure continuity of operations. Much of the installation was completed by Tampa Bay Water’s own IT team. 
• Replacement of ozone generators and associated systems at the Surface Water Treatment Plant will improve disinfection capabilities and system reliability. 
• Drilling of a test well in eastern Pasco County is part of the feasibility study for a potential Eastern Pasco Wellfield to meet growing water demands. Crews are studying the area’s geology and will install a 500-foot test well and three monitoring wells. This research will help evaluate future groundwater supply options. 
• Replacement of five large ball valves at the High Service Pump Station is in progress. The new 24-inch valves are being built, with installation beginning in early 2026. The project will improve flow control and is expected to finish in late 2027. 

While all this work continues, Tampa Bay Water is preparing for the start of nine additional construction projects throughout our region. The projects will begin in fiscal year 2026, with an estimated construction cost of $525 million. Two of the projects, the Surface Water Treatment Plant Expansion and the South Hillsborough Pipeline, account for 94 percent of the construction budget.