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Tampa Bay Water Votes To Sue Cracked Reservoir Builders

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By CHRISTIAN M. WADE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 20, 2008

Updated: 10/20/2008 01:35 pm

CLEARWATER - The Tampa Bay Water board voted today to sue the three companies that designed or built the now-crack-ridden walls of the C.W. "Bill" Young Reservoir.

With little discussion, the board unanimously approved moving forward with litigation against HDR Engineering, Barnard Construction and Construction Dynamics Group.

A preliminary investigation has determined the cracks were caused either during the design, construction or oversight of the project. HDR designed the reservoir, Barnard was the lead construction contractor and Construction Dynamics oversaw building.

The move also directs Tampa Bay Water to cancel contracts with HDR and the other firms. HDR prepares annual reports for state and federal environmental regulators on the reservoir, in addition to other consulting work for the regional water supplier.

Board member and Tampa City Councilman Charlie Miranda said he wants to make sure taxpayers don't get stuck with the bill for repairing the multimillion-dollar reservoir.

"For me, it is paramount that the public interest be protected," Miranda said.

The first cracks appeared in the soil-cement covering of the reservoir's inner walls in December 2006. Since then, they've become more widespread in the northeast and southwest corners of the 930-acre reservoir in southeast Hillsborough County.

In August, the utility announced it would allow water levels to be drawn down during the fall and winter so cracks below the waterline could be investigated. The reservoir holds 15 billion gallons at capacity.

The lawsuits must be filed before the statute of limitations runs out on the contracts with the companies. The first deadline is Tuesday for HDR Engineering.

Tampa Bay Water officials have not said how much money they will try to recover in the lawsuits.

Reporter Christian M. Wade can be reached at (813) 259-7679.

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