background and process (continued)

Process

Water supply projects take years to complete from the time they are conceived.  It is important to plan well in advance in order to meet the region’s future water needs.  It takes coordination with our member governments, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and the public to meet Tampa Bay Water’s goals.

Tampa Bay Water predicts future water needs through advanced planning and research efforts that look at supply sources, rainfall, and current and future water demands.  The planning process ensures that supply sources are added in a way to protect the environment and wholesale water rates while maintaining a reliable drinking water supply to the region.  Each planning cycle adapts to the region’s water demand and budgeting efforts.

The previous planning cycle started with over 300 possible water supply sources, was pared down to a concept shortlist of 17, and ended with six projects making up the Master Water Plan.  Due to reduced water demands of the region, the agency now has additional time to conduct feasibility studies on future potential water supply projects in the Master Water Plan, and may be able to delay capital expenditures to build new facilities until demands begin to climb again.  As a result, Tampa Bay Water will not decide on what to build next until, at earliest, 2013.