{"id":17,"date":"2021-08-16T17:25:35","date_gmt":"2021-08-16T17:25:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/live-tampa-bay-water.pantheonsite.io\/?page_id=17"},"modified":"2023-12-28T16:28:01","modified_gmt":"2023-12-28T21:28:01","slug":"a-model-utility","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tampabaywater.org\/agency\/environmental-recovery\/a-model-utility\/","title":{"rendered":"A Model Utility"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A Model Utility<\/h1><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Tampa<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Tampa Bay Water is the only water utility in the United States that delivers a blend of treated groundwater, river water and seawater. Our utility is a model of regional cooperation that benefits residents, our economy and our environment. We now work through water supply issues together for the benefit of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


However, the transformation and cooperation didn\u2019t happen overnight. It took strong leadership and a paradigm shift from local governments, West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority and the Southwest Florida Water Management District to put aside parochial interests and do what was right for the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The process started in March 1996, when West Coast held a series of facilitated workshops to develop funding strategies for the Master Water Plan. During a workshop exercise, the concept of reinventing the Authority as a regional utility with a uniform water rate was born.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea required months of examination, investigation and research. Each member government had to consider the ramifications to its customer base. For example, St. Petersburg had the oldest wellfields in the region and inexpensive water rates. Selling those facilities meant higher water rates for its members, but it also meant a reliable supply of water and an end to litigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For a member like Hillsborough County, who had no water supply facilities, the choice was easier. Its residents would enjoy a reliable supply of water, and its lands would see the benefits of environmental recovery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In January 1997, West Coast reported its progress to the Florida Legislature, and subsequently, Florida\u2019s state officials passed legislation that encouraged and facilitated the restructuring of the utility, including the following key provisions, which can be found in FS 373.715:<\/p>\n\n\n\n