Planning for the future is an on-going process at Tampa Bay Water that includes more than potential new supplies. Our long-term planning process includes analyses of future demand, conservation potential, supply reliability, water shortage mitigation planning and hydrologic uncertainty – all wrapped up in the Long-term Master Water Plan planning process.
This 20-year plan is a framework for meeting the region’s future drinking water needs. The Long-term Master Water Plan identifies future water needs and potential water supply projects that could be designed and built to meet those needs for the region. The plan, which was instated in 1998, is updated every five years; each update must be approved by the agency’s board of directors. The most recent update was completed in December 2018.
The planning process includes data from a comprehensive demand forecasting model that help us predict future water demands by analyzing water use data, weather, demographic and economic data. Our Demand Management Plan quantifies potential water savings from passive and active conservation efforts. Planning for dry times is also part of the process. Operational and supply uncertainty is forecasted and modeled, to help understand how to mitigate and manage that risk.
Altogether, these models and plans forecast how much water will be needed in the future and when, so we can plan new supplies at the right time to keep our region growing and thriving.
Tampa Bay Water’s current supply is expected to meet the region’s water needs through 2028, even with projected growth. We are investigating potential new supplies now because it can take 10 years or more to investigate, design, permit, fund, build and startup a new water supply project.
The Long-term Master Water Plan is a comprehensive examination of supply, demand, system hydraulics, water quality, reliability, public engagement and more. To meet the region’s water needs, the 2018 update plan includes:
The three top-ranked new water supply projects in the Master Water Plan are:
An additional project option, the proposed South Hillsborough Wellfield (via aquifer recharge credits) was removed from consideration to meet 2028 regional water needs and will be placed back into the agency's Long-term Master Water Plan for future consideration.
Tampa Bay Water will begin work on its next Long-term Master Water Plan in late 2022.
Tampa Bay Water’s current supply is expected to meet the region’s drinking water needs through 2028. Tampa Bay Water completed feasibility studies for the projects selected in its 2018 Long-term Master Water Plan and its board of directors will select a project or projects in late summer or fall 2022. The projects currently under consideration for the region's next water supply include:
Tampa Bay Water will begin design and permitting studies on the identified project options for future board consideration. A regional demand management program and projects to optimize our existing infrastructure will go before Tampa Bay Water’s board for consideration in 2019.
Tampa Bay Water held a Telephone Town Hall Meeting for Hillsborough County residents on July 12, 2022, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for residents to provide feedback and ask questions live via telephone or the meeting chat. The recording of the meeting is below.
Surface Water Expansion
Seawater Desalination Plant Expansion
South Hillsborough Wellfield via Aquifer Recharge Credits
Optimization & Demand Management
