Tampabay: Pinellas wavers on water facility

Estimates have gone up for how much the new plant would increase water rates. Plus, the cost of studying the plan is high, and some commissioners aren't sure they want to build it at all.

So commissioners delayed a vote planned for Tuesday to approve $4-million for a county consultant, Jones Edmunds & Associates Inc., to do more study and design work on the proposed plant.

That decision followed an informal workshop Tuesday afternoon during which commissioners peppered county utilities director Pick Talley with questions and they exchanged tense words.

"We're now changing our course again," complained Commissioner Ken Welch. "I don't understand what has changed, other than the cost, which is huge. . . . I'm prepared to go forward."

But Commissioner Bob Stewart shot back that whether to build the plant is "a significant public policy issue" that the county may not be able to afford.

"Commissioner Stewart, I think I understand the public policy implications here," Welch replied. "But we've had this discussion . . . I'm confused now about why we are rehashing this."

Commissioners have never committed to building the entire plant, but they said last fall they wanted to pursue the plan and told Talley to keep working.

County water officials say that when Tampa Bay Water begins supplying the county with new water this year, it could have smell and color problems. And, though the water will meet all safety standards, county officials say it won't be as safe.

The county supplies water to about two-thirds of county residents. It sells water directly to residents in the unincorporated areas, Largo, Kenneth City, Seminole and beach towns, and sells water wholesale to Clearwater, Tarpon Springs, Pinellas Park, Safety Harbor and Oldsmar.

Commissioner Calvin Harris worried most about how much the plant would cost customers.

"You're making water a luxury," he complained.

Last fall, Talley estimated that the plant would mean increasing water rates about $3.20 per month by 2008 for the average customer, who uses 8,000 gallons per month. On Tuesday, he upped the figure to $5.60 per month.

That's assuming that the "average" customer cuts water use to 7,000 gallons each month because of conservation programs, Talley said after Tuesday's meeting. Using 8,000 gallons would mean a $6.40 increase.

"I don't think any of us expected these cost projections," said Commission Chairwoman Barbara Sheen Todd.

But Talley said customers face even bigger increases because of Tampa Bay Water's impending switch to a different source for water.

Tampa Bay Water now pumps water from the Floridan Aquifer underground. But in December, the utility plans to start using treated river water and desalinated seawater, as well.

Costs associated with the change are projected to increase monthly fees by $15.40, he said, making the average county water bill about $35 a month without the new county plant or $40 a month with it.

The coming vote also worried commissioners because it would mean spending $4-million before making a final decision to build the plant.

"My discomfort is with studying, designing, planning and engineering something we may decide we don't need to build," Commissioner Susan Latvala said. "There won't be a stopping point for us in the decisionmaking."

Todd asked other commissioners to give written questions to Talley. She also asked staffers to provide commissioners with a transcript of last fall's meeting.

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