{"id":103,"date":"2021-08-16T17:56:24","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T17:56:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/live-tampa-bay-water.pantheonsite.io\/?page_id=103"},"modified":"2025-07-30T14:32:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-30T18:32:02","slug":"source-water-protection","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/protecting-our-drinking-water-sources","title":{"rendered":"Source Water Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mb-30 has-dark-blue-color has-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group container\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><h1 class=\"wp-block-post-title has-text-color has-dark-blue-color\">Source Water Protection<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group container\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-style-default is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-8f761849 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"349\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/sourcewater-protection-hero-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3910\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sourcewater-protection-hero-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sourcewater-protection-hero-2-300x131.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sourcewater-protection-hero-2-768x335.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group mb-15\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-teal-color has-text-color\" id=\"clean-safe-drinking-water-doesn-t-start-at-the-tap-it-starts-at-the-source\">Clean, safe drinking water doesn\u2019t start at the tap \u2014 it starts at the source.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because our region depends on surface and groundwater for most of our water supply, it is important to safeguard those sources from pollution and contamination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Surface water, which makes up nearly half of our water supply, is present above the ground and includes lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, seas and oceans. Groundwater is below the ground and includes underground aquifers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"mb-0 pb-0 wp-block-paragraph\">Tampa Bay Water is dedicated to protecting the quality of the public\u2019s source water. Doing so ensures the protection of public health, the environment and the public\u2019s investment. It also ensures clean, safe water sources for future generations.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group py-15\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-blue-color has-text-color\" id=\"some-of-our-chief-source-water-protection-efforts-include\">Some of our chief source water protection efforts include:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons mt-15 is-horizontal is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-7d812b4c wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-default\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-blue-background-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/mini-grant-funding\/\">Our Water Conservation and Protection Mini-Grant Program<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-off-black-color has-text-color has-normal-font-size\" id=\"public-information-and-education\" style=\"font-size:16px\">PUBLIC INFORMATION AND EDUCATION<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list pt-15 has-custom-size\">\n<li>Funding for the Florida-Friendly Landscaping\u2122 (FFL)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Development of information materials related to source water protection<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-off-black-color has-text-color has-normal-font-size\" id=\"land-acquisition-programs\" style=\"font-size:16px\">LAND ACQUISITION PROGRAMS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list pt-15 has-custom-size\">\n<li>Provided land for a regional stormwater project in Brandon facilities site property<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-off-black-color has-text-color has-normal-font-size\" id=\"protective-policies-and-regulations\" style=\"font-size:16px\">PROTECTIVE POLICIES AND REGULATIONS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list pt-15 has-custom-size\">\n<li>Participated in the development of Pasco and Hillsborough County Protection Ordinances<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reviewed and provided recommendations on 300 development proposals since 2007 (Rezoning, Mining permits, DRIs)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-off-black-color has-text-color has-normal-font-size\" id=\"best-management-practices\" style=\"font-size:16px\">BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list pt-15 has-custom-size\">\n<li>Helped fund a recent University of Florida low impact development workshop<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-off-black-color has-text-color has-normal-font-size\" id=\"local-watershed-protection-actions\" style=\"font-size:16px\">LOCAL WATERSHED PROTECTION ACTIONS<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list pt-15 has-custom-size\">\n<li>Spend over $2 million per year on environmental monitoring programs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-gray-color has-css-opacity has-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group py-15\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading alignwide has-text-align-left has-teal-color has-text-color\" id=\"properly-dispose-of-household-chemicals-and-hazardous-waste\" style=\"font-size:24px\">Properly Dispose of Household Chemicals and Hazardous Waste<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The safest way to dispose of household chemicals and hazardous&nbsp;waste such as paint, motor oil, fertilizer and pesticides is to take them to your local county recycling center. This prevents the chemicals from making their way into our water supplies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-off-black-color has-text-color has-normal-font-size\" id=\"local-county-recycling-centers\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>LOCAL COUNTY RECYCLING CENTERS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list pt-15 has-custom-size\">\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hillsboroughcounty.org\/en\/residents\/property-owners-and-renters\/trash-and-recycling\/discarding-household-hazardous-waste\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">Hillsborough County<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pinellas.gov\/solid-waste-disposal-complex-hours\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">Pinellas County&nbsp;(check mobile options)<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pascocountyfl.net\/services\/utilities\/garbage_and_recycling\/household_hazardous_waste.php\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">Pasco County<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-gray-color has-css-opacity has-gray-background-color has-background is-style-wide\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pt-15\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-teal-color has-text-color\" id=\"properly-dispose-of-medication\" style=\"font-size:24px\">Properly Dispose of Medication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The safest way to dispose of old medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, is to take them to a local take-back location. This prevents the medicine from falling into the wrong hands and helps keep the hormones and chemicals they contain from seeping into the sources of our drinking water. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs thrown in the trash, poured down the sink or flushed down the toilet can end up in landfills, pass through wastewater treatment systems and end up in rivers, Tampa Bay or the Floridan aquifer, which serve as the sources of our drinking water supplies. All County Sheriff\u2019s Departments in Tampa Bay Water\u2019s service area have permanent, secure drop-off locations for unneeded or unwanted medications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading has-off-black-color has-text-color has-normal-font-size\" id=\"local-medication-drop-off-locations\" style=\"font-size:16px\"><strong>LOCAL MEDICATION DROP-OFF LOCATIONS<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul style=\"font-size:16px\" class=\"wp-block-list pt-15 has-custom-size\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.teamhcso.com\/Section\/dcf81a48-1591-4915-bd5c-ebd4d0cf2202\/Prescription-Drug-Drop-Off\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Hillsborough County<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pascocountyfl.net\/services\/utilities\/garbage_and_recycling\/household_hazardous_waste.php\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" (opens in a new tab)\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" class=\"ek-link\">Pasco County<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pinellassheriff.gov\/OMC\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pinellas County<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"sidebar-menu\">\n\t<nav aria-label=\"in-page\" class=\"site-header__nav\">\n\t\t                                                                                                                                        <ul id=\"menu-main-menu\" class=\"nav__inner nav-side\"><li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-home'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/\">Home<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children'><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"parent-menu__item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/\">Agency<\/a><button aria-label=\"Agency submenu\" aria-controls=\"agency\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"sub-menu__arrow sub-menu__arrow_zero\"><span class=\"arrow--nav 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menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/environmental-recovery\/alternative-supplies\/\">Alternative Supplies<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/environmental-recovery\/recovery\/\">Recovery<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/environmental-recovery\/a-model-utility\/\">A Model Utility<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/mini-grant-funding\/\">Water Conservation and Protection Mini-grant Program<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/public-notices\">Public Notices<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page 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menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/tampa-bay-water-budget-and-financial-information\/\">Financials<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children'><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"menu-column__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/purchasing-and-procurement\">Procurement<\/a><button aria-label=\"Procurement submenu\" aria-controls=\"procurement\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"sub-menu__arrow subs-menu__arrow_one\"><span class=\"arrow--nav arrow-link__blue\"><\/span><\/button><\/a>\n\t<ul class='list sub-menu one' id=procurement>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/procurement\/working-with-us\/\">Working With Us<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/procurement\/purchasing-thresholds\/\">Purchasing Thresholds<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/procurement\/the-purchasing-team\/\">The Purchasing Team<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/procurement\/procurement-faqs\/\">Purchasing FAQs<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/procurement\/supplier-resources\/\">Supplier Resources<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/tampa-bay-water-reports-and-documents\">Reports and Documents<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children'><a 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href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/water-supply-source-groundwater\">Groundwater<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children'><a class=\"menu-column__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/water-supply-source-river-water\">Surface Water<\/a><button aria-label=\"Surface Water submenu\" aria-controls=\"surfacewater\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"sub-menu__arrow subs-menu__arrow_two\"><span class=\"arrow--nav arrow-link__blue\"><\/span><\/button><\/a>\n\t\t<ul class='list sub-menu two' id=surfacewater>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/tampa-bay-regional-river-water-treatment-plant\">Surface Water Treatment Plant<\/a><div class=\"content\"><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/cw-bill-young-regional-reservoir\">C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir<\/a><div class=\"content\"><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/reservoir-emergency-notifications\">Reservoir Emergency Notifications<\/a><div class=\"content\"><\/li>\n\t\t<\/ul><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/tampa-bay-seawater-desalination\">Seawater Desalination<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/current-drinking-water-sources\">Current Sources<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/future-drinking-water-sources\">Future Sources<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children'><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"menu-column__title\" 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menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/tampa-bay-region-water-shortage-stages\">Water Shortage Stages<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/tampa-bay-regional-water-supply-demand-forecasting\">Demand Forecasting<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/controlled-burns\">Controlled Burns<\/a><\/li>\n\t<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-custom menu-item-object-custom'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/cip\/\">Projects<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children'><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"parent-menu__item\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/tampa-bay-region-drinking-water-quality\">Quality<\/a><button aria-label=\"Quality submenu\" aria-controls=\"quality\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"sub-menu__arrow sub-menu__arrow_zero\"><span class=\"arrow--nav arrow-link__blue\"><\/span><\/button>\n<ul class='list sub-menu zero' id=quality>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/water-quality-report-2024\/\">Water Quality Report<\/a><\/li>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page menu-item-has-children'><a tabindex=\"0\" class=\"menu-column__title\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/drinking-water-treated-with-monochloramines\">Monochloramines<\/a><button aria-label=\"Monochloramines submenu\" aria-controls=\"monochloramines\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"sub-menu__arrow subs-menu__arrow_one\"><span class=\"arrow--nav arrow-link__blue\"><\/span><\/button><\/a>\n\t<ul class='list sub-menu one' id=monochloramines>\n<li class=' menu-item menu-item-type-post_type menu-item-object-page'><a 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