need for fix (continued)

In June 2009, Tampa Bay Water’s Board of Directors approved a resolution to fix the cracking soil-cement, erosion control layer and procure the fix with a competitive process that included expert peer review.

At its August 2011 board meeting, Tampa Bay Water's board of directors approved a $162 million contract with design-builder Kiewit Infrastructure South to renovate the regional reservoir and increase the facility's storage by 3 billion gallons.

Kiewit's solution addresses the underlying cause of the soil cement cracking with a proposed design that prevents water from being trapped behind the soil cement. Kiewit's solution removes and reclaims the flat-plat soil cement and soil wedge; removes the geomembrane; and adds embankment fill, a drainage system, a new geomembrane and stair-step soil cement around the entire interior face.

Tampa Bay Water staff recommended an increase in the reservoir’s storage capacity at the same time that the renovation work is done because it is technically feasible, permittable, and has minimal-to-no environmental impacts; makes the agency’s surface water system more drought resistant, reliable and flexible; and requires no additional pipelines or new pumping facilities.

Tampa Bay Water’s consulting experts as well as Florida Department of Environmental Protection experts all conclude the reservoir remains safe and poses no public risk.