{"id":15053,"date":"2026-03-02T16:57:40","date_gmt":"2026-03-02T21:57:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/?post_type=news&p=15053"},"modified":"2026-03-03T14:16:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T19:16:48","slug":"tampa-bay-water-breaks-ground-on-surface-water-treatment-plant-expansion-181-million-investment-strengthens-reliable-sustainable-regional-drinking-water-supply","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/news\/tampa-bay-water-breaks-ground-on-surface-water-treatment-plant-expansion-181-million-investment-strengthens-reliable-sustainable-regional-drinking-water-supply\/","title":{"rendered":"Tampa Bay Water Breaks Ground on Surface Water Treatment Plant Expansion - $181 Million Investment Strengthens Reliable, Sustainable Regional Drinking Water Supply"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

News Release<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

For Immediate Release<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n

Contact: Brandon Moore
bmoore@tampabaywater.org<\/a>
(727) 791-2304<\/a> \n\n\n

<\/p>\n

CLEARWATER, Fla. (March 2, 2026)<\/strong> \u2014 Tampa Bay Water broke ground on the expansion of its Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant, a major regional infrastructure project that will increase drinking water supply and strengthen long-term reliability of the region\u2019s drinking water.

The $181 million expansion will increase the plant\u2019s treatment capacity by up to 12.5 million gallons per day (mgd), meeting the drinking water needs of a growing population across the counties and cities served by Tampa Bay Water \u2014 Hillsborough County, Pasco County and Pinellas County, and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. The expansion will be online in 2028 and meets the region\u2019s drinking water demands through 2033.

\u201cWe continually plan for the future so residents can turn on their taps with confidence,\u201d said Chuck Carden, Tampa Bay Water general manager. \u201cYou can always count on a reliable supply of drinking water.\u201d

Tampa Bay Water\u2019s Enhanced Surface Water System is the cornerstone of its diverse supply system. It\u2019s been a major contributor to reducing dependence on groundwater, which allowed once damaged regional lakes and wetlands to fully recover.

\u201cThe plant played a major role in the unprecedented environmental recovery of lakes and wetlands in our area,\u201d said Carden. \u201cWhen we reduced groundwater pumping, we replaced much of that supply with river water from this plant, while still meeting the drinking water needs of a growing region.\u201d

The expansion will optimize the existing facility to produce additional drinking water without increasing permitted river withdrawals, maximizing the use of rainfall when it is available.

The project is being delivered through a public-private partnership with Veolia Water North America and CDM Smith. The cost of the expansion is estimated at $181 million, funded with existing or issued revenue bonds and federal and state grants.

\u201cWe\u2019re expanding key treatment processes at the plant to increase capacity while building on what already works,\u201d said Mike Kuhn, Veolia Director of Capital Management. \u201cSite preparation is underway, and this next phase will bring those plans to life.\u201d

\u201cThis project represents the future of the region\u2019s water supply,\u201d said Frank Terrasi, CDM Smith Construction President. \u201cWe\u2019re focused on expanding the plant while keeping it running every day for the communities that rely on it.\u201d

Key expansion improvements include:<\/strong><\/p>\n