Temple Terrace city leaders are weighing a $72.2 million overhaul of the city’s water treatment system after a third-party report found PFAS contamination in the municipal water supply at nearly five times the federally recommended level.
During a city council workshop Tuesday night, officials reviewed the proposed five-year upgrade plan, presented by engineering firm CHA, aimed at meeting new federal EPA safety standards before a 2031 compliance deadline.
The plan calls for major improvements to both of the city’s treatment plants, which engineers say are nearing the end of their service lives. The larger Whiteway Water Treatment Plant would receive roughly $30 million in capital improvements, while the smaller Sunningdale facility could be converted into a booster pump station. The proposal also includes adding water-softening and PFAS-removal technology via a nanofiltration deep-well injection system.
PFAS — per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly called “forever chemicals” — are linked to certain cancers, reproductive complications, and metabolic disorders.
Some residents voiced frustration over the pace of the city’s response. Resident Chris Barquin noted that the city had been aware of the contamination since at least 2024. “Here we are in 2026, we’re still drinking the same water,” he said. Mayor Andy Ross also raised questions about whether temporary mitigation options could reduce exposure while the longer-term infrastructure work is completed. City leaders discussed the possibility of deploying a temporary PFAS mitigation trailer.
The PFAS treatment portion of the project is not expected to be finished until 2029, two years before the EPA deadline. Residents could see future utility bills increase as the city works to fund the upgrades.
No formal vote was taken on Tuesday. A public town hall is scheduled for next Tuesday at 6 p.m. at the Lightfoot Recreation Center, giving residents another opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.
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