The Tampa Water Department is progressing with a significant upgrade to the chemical systems at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility, designed to improve water quality, enhance safety and support long-term operational resilience.
The $42 million Chemical Systems Improvement Project forms part of a wider programme to modernise the City of Tampa’s water treatment infrastructure. The investment will enable the utility to meet increasing demand and adapt its operations to support a growing population.
As part of the project, the utility will construct a new on-site sodium hypochlorite generation facility, allowing the treatment plant to produce its own liquid bleach for disinfection rather than relying on off-site chemical delivery. A more robust ammonia delivery system will also be installed to improve reliability and provide greater operational flexibility.
Benefits of the upgrade
- Optimising the water treatment process.
- Reducing reliance on transported chemicals.
- Lowering long-term operating and maintenance costs.
- Strengthening chemical storage safety and redundancy.
- Improving taste and odour for customers.
Rory Jones, Director of the Tampa Water Department, said: “This project is a smart investment that strengthens the reliability of our water treatment system while delivering better water quality. The work we do today will pave the way for a more sustainable, resilient tomorrow.”
The Chemical Systems Improvement Project is funded through PIPES – Progressive Infrastructure Planning to Ensure Sustainability, the City of Tampa’s $2.9 billion infrastructure programme focused on upgrading ageing water and wastewater systems. Through PIPES, the Tampa Water Department is investing in modernised chemical handling, improved distribution resilience and upgrades to its century-old treatment facility.
