TAMPA, Fla. — In less than seven years, the Tampa Bay area will need a lot more clean water.
Explosive growth will increase demand for water by more than 3.3 billion gallons every year.
That's enough water to fill an Olympic-size swimming pool 17 times every day of the year.
What You Need To Know
- Tampa Bay Water expecting need for more water in the future due to Bay area growth
- Board hosting town hall Thurday night to sahre options
- Information on tonight’s virtual town hall or to sign up to attend
A virtual town hall will happen tonight for Tampa Bay Water to share one of three options to increase water capacity.
It includes expanding Tampa Bay Waters Regional Surface Water Treatment Facility in Tampa, or building a new treatment facility at the C.W. Bill Young Regional Reservoir in Lithia.
Tampa Bay Water says public input will be a key component to the board’s ultimate decision.
"There's several factors we will evaluate, cost being one of them,” said Chuck Carden, interim Director of Tampa Bay Water. “Permitability, sustainability, environmental considerations and also public input."
The Tampa Bay Water Board will make a final decision on expansion by next year.
The board is made up of two county board members from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco County, and one elected official from each of the counties largest cities, Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey.
For more on the project options, information on tonight’s virtual town hall or to sign up to attend, visit https://www.tampabaywater.org/Supply/Water-Sources/Future-Sources/Surface-Water-Expansion