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Community Corner

Community Invited to Help Plan for Future Water Supply

Tampa Bay Water is seeking community input on the region’s future drinking water supply as it updates its Long-Term Master Water Plan. The agency is asking residents, businesses and community groups to complete an online survey at www.tampabaywater.org/FutureWater. The survey will be available until August 23, 2013.

Tampa Bay Water is asking for input on seven future water project concepts, source water protection and regional water efficiency efforts.

“Community participation is a critical element to everything we do at Tampa Bay Water,” said Ivana Blankenship, Planning & Outreach Program Manager for Tampa Bay Water. “More than 2.3 million people in the region receive our drinking water through our member governments. It is important for those residents to have a say in the planning process.”

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Updated every five years, this 20-year plan takes in to account more than what the agency can build. The Long-Term Master Water plan is a holistic approach to understanding the capabilities of its current system, helping its members with water efficiency programs, adhering to regulatory requirements for water quality and protecting regional drinking water sources.

The long-term plan studies the current water supply system to determine if there are operational efficiencies that could yield additional water supply. It also identifies potential water supply projects that could meet the future drinking water needs of the Tampa Bay region.

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“Tampa Bay Water’s current system should meet the region’s drinking water needs for the next decade,” said Blankenship. “But, it takes planning to ensure the region has enough drinking water for future generations.”  

For more information on the Long-Term Master Water Plan and to participate in the process, please visit www.tampabaywater.org/FutureWater. Tampa Bay Water provides wholesale water to the public utility systems of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties, as well as the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa. To learn more about Tampa Bay Water, please visit www.tampabaywater.org.


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