TBO.com - Tampa Bay Online
Reclaimed Water Deal Promising, But Needs Thorough Treatment
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Published: April 29, 2008
A $180 million proposal to pipe reclaimed water from Hillsborough County and the city of Tampa into Polk County could benefit the environment and bolster the region's water supply while helping it meet its energy needs.
The water sale also could deprive Hillsborough and Tampa of water that may be needed in the future. Local control would be sacrificed to benefit Polk projects. And it's suspicious that heavy-handed political pressure is being brought to bear.
All the parties involved in this complex deal should proceed cautiously and carefully scrutinize the ramifications.
Nevertheless, the Southwest Florida Water Management District's governing board, scheduled to vote on the concept today, should give it the go-ahead. The county commission and city council already have done so.
Approvals by those two elected boards allow the parties to work on an agreement. But any long-term commitment will require separate approvals.
There is much to like about the plan, which would utilize highly treated wastewater from Hillsborough and, in a second phase of the project, Tampa, most of which now ends up in Tampa Bay. This would significantly improve the bay's water quality.
The water would be piped to Mosaic Fertilizer phosphate pits in eastern Hillsborough and in Polk, where it could be stored. Some water would be used to help recharge the underground aquifer in an area where overuse has caused severe saltwater intrusion and where it is virtually impossible to develop new supply.
Much of it would be sold to Tampa Electric Co.'s Polk Power Station, which needs more water to allow the expansion necessary to meet growing demand. Most of the plant's electricity goes to Hillsborough.
Water also could be sold to Polk County to augment its supply and help it meet future needs.
Some questions:
• Will Hillsborough and Tampa end up giving up water that could be used for its residents and own growth? Hillsborough and Tampa officials say there is plenty to go around, but once the water is committed, there is no getting it back.
•What control will the donor communities have over prices?
•Will Water Partners Inc., the not-for-profit group that will build and manage the system, be subject to state Sunshine laws? The group includes representatives from the public and private entities involved. Officials pledge transparency but any agreement should guarantee public oversight.
•Will costs be distributed equitably? Supporters want the water district, which has taxing authority, to pay roughly half the cost. The rest would be paid for by bonds that would be repaid with income from TECO and other water purchasers.
•What are the hidden agendas? The state Senate has held up the reappointment of Dave Moore, who has done an excellent job as the executive director of the water district for the last five years.
Word is that some senators - including Hillsborough's Sen. Ronda Storms - are upset the district hasn't moved faster on the reclaimed project and are using the reappointment as leverage.
In fact, Moore has endorsed the concept, but simply wants the details carefully attended. That's the responsible position and one that should be taken by all parties at this stage.
Such political intimidation only raises the possibility something is at stake that is not being openly discussed. The district, county and city should explore this innovative idea's great promise. But they should not allow themselves to be railroaded into a commitment until they are absolutely certain it is in Hillsborough's and Tampa's long-term interest.
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Reader Comments
Posted by ( peak ) on April 29, 2008 at 1:44 p.m. ( Suggest removal )
It is unfortunate that Tampa has to export its reclaimed water rather than FORCE its myopic residents to use it for watering their yards. Tampa dumps 50 million gallons of water a day into the Bay, all of the water should be reclaimed and reused, locally.
Tampa needs to become much more responsible with its water use in general, and it's got to force it's residents to become more responsible too.
The Hillsborough River is much more than just Tampa's drinking water supply.
Get TOUGH Tampa!
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Posted by ( mmfitzy ) on May 1, 2008 at 8:30 a.m. ( Suggest removal )
Heavens are we reprising the water wars… this time the citizens versus private interests?
Those of us who live in North and New Tampa do not have and will not get reclaimed water.... unless a fairy god mother shows up with $262M for the pipeline and another $10K per house to get it to the homes.
How likely is that?
So what do we do with the surplus effluent water?
Surplus effluent is a nontrivial and potentially EXPENSIVE problem for Tampa in the near term.
This project sounds like a fine fit between problem and need.... but the Trib editorial is right on...there are questions to be answered…. the main one is funding,
SWFWMD taxing citizens for the benefit of private companies gives horrible signals- even if the intentions are good… even if there is a way around that nasty little impedance, the State Constitution.
Can this project stand on its own funding wise? Maybe the answer to that question is the objective of the exploration/research just approved by City Council. I hope so….
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