Tampa Bay Water (TBW) is evaluating a series of proposals that would provide water for the anticipated half-million new residents who are expected to move into the region by 2043. An estimated 38 million gallons of water per day (mgd) must be available to meet that demand, with approximately 10 to 20 mgd needed by 2033.
At the top of the list for bay managers is a new reservoir proposed for north Pinellas County that would harvest freshwater from Lake Tarpon Outfall and its tributaries, which drain into Old Tampa Bay, where nutrient pollution is most problematic. That proposal is strongly supported by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program (TBEP) because withdrawing freshwater from Lake Tarpon would also reduce nutrient loading in Old Tampa Bay.
Harvesting water from the Alafia River has been one of the most significant nitrogen reduction projects in the region, according to Maya Burke, TBEP assistant director. Like the Alafia reservoir, water from Lake Tarpon would be withdrawn during periods of high flows, particularly summer rainy seasons, then stored in a reservoir for use during dry periods. Along with determining locations for the reservoir and treatment facility, an important issue will be water quality from the lake…