Rapid growth in the Tampa Bay area is raising concerns about the region’s water supply. One potential solution, however, is drawing significant pushback from residents in Pasco County.

Tampa Bay Water recently held a public meeting to discuss its Eastern Pasco Wellfield Feasibility Study, a potential project aimed at increasing the area’s water supply. For many concerned neighbors, this project represents a larger issue of burgeoning development in areas they wish to preserve.

Sharon Hanna-West, a resident, stated, “I don’t know that people are so frightened of the well field per se as they are of what it represents to that area, and that is development.”

Residents also voiced concerns about the environmental and agricultural impacts of the project and questioned its proposed location. The study aims to explore a new wellfield that would withdraw brackish or fresh groundwater, or a mix of both. The property for the wellfield still needs to be acquired, along with additional testing.

Tampa Bay Water estimates the region will need an additional 25 million gallons per day of drinking water by 2043. However, 10 to 20 million gallons may be needed as early as 2033. The proposed project is one of several being considered to increase the water supply as part of the long-term master plan.

Brandon Moore, the public communications manager, said seven projects were approved last month by Tampa Bay Water’s board of directors. However, further studies and tests are necessary to determine if they are feasible, permittable, and reliable. Public input will be taken into account as the board reconvenes.

Some residents are advocating for the project to be removed from the list of potential solutions. Lisa Moretti, who ran for county commissioner, emphasized the importance of protecting rural parts of eastern Pasco County. “When we saw the feasibility study show up, to us, it was a signal. It was like the first domino in a series of things that will eventually gut the northeast rural area,” she said.

Others shared their desire to preserve the area’s agricultural way of life and expressed concerns about ongoing development throughout the county. Tampa Bay Water asserts that the study aims to identify potential environmental impacts and that the proposed site is not in protected areas, though it is in close proximity.

The $7.3 million project is estimated to yield 9 million gallons of water per day. The board of directors is expected to meet again next month to discuss the next steps.

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(Image credit: Tampa Bay Water)