Officials: We'll take desal over well fields

County commissioners say they'd rather treat saltwater on the Anclote River than see more holes dug in Hillsborough.

By ALISA ULFERTS

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 16, 2000

DADE CITY -- County commissioners want to cut groundwater pumping in all three Tampa Bay Water counties, even if it means putting a desalination plant in their own back yard.

Commissioners crafted their water philosophy Tuesday at a two-hour workshop intended to protect Pasco in case Tampa Bay Water fails to meet its deadlines for reducing total regional groundwater pumping by about 40 percent. The final deadline is Dec. 31, 2007, and most of that pumping is being done in Pasco.

At the workshop, commissioners said they would rather reduce Pasco's pumping via a second desalination plant on the Anclote River than see Tampa Bay Water put in new well fields in Hillsborough County, the next donor county.

"If it's Anclote or new holes in the ground that are so easily exceeded and abused, I'll go for Anclote," said Commissioner Steve Simon, one of the commission's appointees to the Tampa Bay Water board.

The Florida Power plant at Anclote was one of the sites under consideration for the region's first desalination plant, which would turn seawater into drinking water. The idea had few allies among Pasco's fishermen, who claimed the plant would damage the environment and their livelihood. The Tampa Bay Water board last year picked a Hillsborough site.

But Pasco commissioners on Tuesday said they'd rather see that plan revived than increase the pumping in Hillsborough, which they said still could draw down on Pasco's groundwater.

"I think we ought to go in there (the Tampa Bay Water) meeting and say, "Come on, guys. Let's not punch any more holes in the ground,' " Simon added.

Commissioners agreed and gave Simon and his fellow water board appointee, Commissioner Ann Hildebrand, their blessing to urge their Pinellas and Hillsborough counterparts to rethink some of the groundwater projects the utility has planned. The board's next meeting is Feb. 28.

Tampa Bay Water spokeswoman Michelle Klase said a second desal plant is among the list of projects the utility has proposed, but added that staff members are waiting for direction from the board before proceeding.

The problem with desalination is cost, Klase said. The proposed Hillsborough plant will cost more than $100-million, with the state picking up about $90-million of the tab, Klase said.

Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher knows cost is a problem and urged commissioners to start lobbying the state or federal government for help.

Commissioners also hired an in-house water attorney. Former Southwest Florida Water Management District attorney Richard Tschantz will earn $70,000.

- Times staff writer Alisa Ulferts covers Pasco County government. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6244 or (800) 333-7505, ext. 6244. Her e-mail address is ulferts@sptimes.com.

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