surface water monitoring
Since late 2002, surface water withdrawn from the Tampa Bypass Canal, Alafia River and high flow diversions from the Hillsborough River has become a substantial source of drinking water for the Tampa Bay region. The Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant on Hillsborough Bay is also a significant source, supplying up to 10 percent of the region’s drinking water needs.
Because these water supplies are located in important parts of the Tampa Bay ecosystem, careful monitoring is warranted to ensure that the ecological and recreational benefits of these sources are protected.
Water quality and ecological monitoring of these sources to date show no adverse impacts to the rivers or Tampa Bay as a result of withdrawals or the desalination plant’s operations. The monitoring results confirm predictions made prior to operating these surface water supplies.