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River policy conflict surfaces

River advocates and Tampa officials disagree about the best management approach.

By JANET ZINK
Published April 11, 2006

TAMPA - The plan was to release water for two minutes from the Hillsborough River dam to show how it controls the flow downstream.

But late Friday, city officials nixed the idea, surprising and disappointing organizers of the fourth annual State of the River event Monday.

"We were hoping to get a dramatic demonstration," said John Ovink, a founder of the citizens group Friends of the River.

Ovink wanted to make the point that fish and plants down river depend on fresh water for survival.

Intentional or not, by blocking the release city officials made their own point: There's not a drop to spare in the city's drinking water supply, most of which comes from the reservoir above the dam.

Recent dry conditions have lowered the reservoir, Brad Baird, director of Tampa's Water Department told the crowd.

"We need to conserve the water," he said.

To maintain Tampa's drinking water supply, city officials are fighting a recommendation from the Southwest Florida Water Management District to increase the flow of water in the lower Hillsborough River from 10 cubic feet per second to 26.

Swiftmud says that's how much water the river needs to keep it healthy.

Mayor Pam Iorio also supports letting Tampa Bay Water seek a state permit to put treated wastewater into the Hillsborough River below the point where drinking water is extracted. Tampa Bay Water wants to adjust the river's environmental standards to make that project possible. The infusion of treated water would offset withdrawals from the upper Hillsborough River for sale to customers in Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Iorio's stance on water flow and downstream augmentation concern environmentalists.

More than 70 people turned out on the banks of Hillsborough River at Rowlett Park near Busch Gardens for the State of the River presentation Monday.

They carried signs that read "Science not Politics" and "Restore the River" and displayed signatures of nearly 800 people who support increasing the flow of fresh water over the dam.

They said putting treated wastewater in the river will harm wildlife.

Iorio defended her position.

"As a region we've got to address how we will provide adequate and affordable potable water for all our residents," she said.

Tampa withdraws about 82-million gallons a day from above the dam. That's the most the state permit allows, but the city will need even more in the future to support growth.

One way to boost the drinking water supply is to find a way to re-use the 55-million gallons of wastewater treated daily in a Tampa plant and then released into Tampa Bay.

"That is a tremendous resource," Iorio said.

If people used reclaimed water on their lawns, there would be more fresh water for drinking.

But Tampa's reclaimed water program, which provides treated wastewater for lawn irrigation, has not caught on with residents. It's available only in parts of South Tampa, requires an initial hookup fee and isn't always cheaper than drinking water.

The city is looking at ways to expand the program, but putting treated wastewater into the river is worth study, Iorio said.

It could allow Tampa Bay Water to increase withdrawals from the upper river.

Tampa Bay Water's proposal also calls for building a pipeline to carry reclaimed water toward Pasco County and north Tampa for irrigation and other non-drinking uses.

It's up to environmental agencies to decide whether the plan would endanger the river's health, Iorio said.

The city and Swiftmud are studying how much water should flow down the lower Hillsborough River.

"We're not going to increase the minimum flow if it puts the water supply in jeopardy," Iorio said.

City officials worry that that releasing more water from the reservoir would require buying more drinking water from Tampa Bay Water, which would increase the cost to consumers.

Some environmentalists say higher prices may not be such a bad idea.

"That's the most effective way to encourage conservation," said Rich Brown, a Friends of the River member.

Swiftmud's final recommendation is due by the end of the summer.

Janet Zink can be reached at jzink@sptimes.com or 813 226-3401.

[Last modified April 11, 2006, 01:09:09]