Long-Term Water Supply Concept Shortlist Approved for Further Study

The Tampa Bay Water Board of Directors has approved further evaluation of fifteen water supply concepts to meet the long-term water demand of the Tampa Bay region.  Evaluation of the items in the Concept Shortlist will occur in 2008 and will be guided by the primary objectives of environmental stewardship, cost-effectiveness, and reliability.  An update to Tampa Bay Water’s Master Water Plan Goals based on these primary objectives has been approved by the Board.

The projects in the Concept Shortlist were selected from a comprehensive list of over 300 water supply project opportunities that were reviewed by the Long-Term Water Supply Project’s System Engineer, Black & Veatch.  With the assistance of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, a Planning Advisory Committee was convened and a public involvement effort was conducted to provide input on the long-term water supply planning update.  Two Planning Advisory Committee meetings and six public workshops were held.  Using this website, additional public input was collected from participants not able to attend one of the scheduled meetings.

Using the public input on screening criteria weighting, the projects on the comprehensive list were screened by the System Engineer to create the recommended Concept Shortlist of projects. The System Engineer has found that there continues to be specific options for additional seawater desalination that are viable, and additional surface water may also be possible.  The concept of expanding existing facilities should be explored further. In addition, a few fresh groundwater options and some potential brackish groundwater options merit further review.  There are also a few limited options for reclaimed water use that could provide a direct potable water benefit that could be further evaluated.

The System Engineer will assist Tampa Bay Water by further developing the project ideas in the Concept Shortlist. While not included for further evaluation at this time, the System Engineer is recommending that dialogue occur with State agencies and groups to better understand how potential efforts in the future might facilitate interconnectivity and cooperation on inter-regional approaches that might benefit multiple parties. In Florida, the “local sources first” concept is favored over interregional transfers of water. However, a growing number of counties may soon have utilized their available “local sources” and will be forced to look at interregional supply and connectivity to insure drought reliability. Therefore, it is appropriate for Tampa Bay Water to be mindful of opportunities that could be implemented through coordination and joint efforts to help meet long-term needs.