Tampa Bay Water Gets $10M for Plant Expansion in $22.6M Regional Award

Tampa Bay Water is receiving $10 million from the state to expand its regional surface water treatment plant, and seven Polk County communities will share $12.6 million for brackish water supply projects, part of $100 million for 45 water projects that Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on October 28, 2026 in Crystal River (WUSF; Tampa Bay Business and Wealth; WWSB).

What Happened

Together, the Tampa Bay Water and Polk County awards total $22.6 million for the region's drinking water supply (Tampa Bay Business and Wealth). The statewide package splits evenly: about $50 million goes to 23 springs restoration and water quality projects, and $50 million goes to 22 alternative water supply projects (WUSF). The awards cover projects selected for fiscal year 2026 to 2027 (Tampa Bay Business and Wealth).

The Tampa Bay Water Plant Expansion

The $10 million award goes to the expansion of the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant, which broke ground in March and will add up to 12.5 million gallons per day of treatment capacity. WUSF reports the expansion is expected online in 2028 and is meant to meet regional drinking water demand through 2033 (WUSF). In a news release cited by WUSF, the utility said the project will "increase drinking water supply and strengthen long-term reliability of the region's drinking water" (WUSF).

Tampa Bay Water is the wholesale supplier for Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties and the cities of New Port Richey, St. Petersburg and Tampa (WUSF). Tampa Bay Business and Wealth noted that the state announcement itself did not say when the added treatment capacity or the Polk County projects will become operational (Tampa Bay Business and Wealth).

Polk County Brackish Water Projects

The $12.6 million for seven Polk County communities supports brackish water supply projects coordinated through the Polk Regional Water Cooperative (Tampa Bay Business and Wealth). Brackish groundwater is saltier than freshwater but fresher than seawater and can be treated for drinking, which lets communities add supply without drawing more from the fresh aquifer (Tampa Bay Business and Wealth).

The Rest of the $100 Million

The broader package includes several categories of work (WUSF; WWSB):

• $19.1 million for six reclaimed water projects, including a reuse expansion at Fort Myers' Central Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility and a transmission expansion in Apopka
• $3 million for Citrus County septic to sewer conversions and system upgrades affecting the Chassahowitzka and Homosassa springs, Kings Bay and Crystal River springs
• $4 million for Volusia County septic upgrades near DeLeon Spring
• $3 million for DeLand sewer capacity and extensions
• $3 million for the Suwannee River Water Management District to acquire land in the Suwannee River Basin

State officials expect the 22 alternative water supply projects to produce more than 60 million gallons per day when complete and the springs projects to remove more than 55,000 pounds of nitrogen a year (WWSB). WWSB noted that the named alternative supply awards total $41.7 million, leaving the rest of that $50 million not itemized in its report (WWSB). The full list is posted on the state's Protecting Florida Together grants site (Tampa Bay Business and Wealth).

Program History

The Alternative Water Supply Grant Program has received $385 million in legislative appropriations since 2019, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection expects funded projects to eventually deliver more than 400 million gallons per day. Florida has also invested $480 million in springs restoration since 2019, which the department estimates will cut nitrogen pollution by about 900,000 pounds a year (Tampa Bay Business and Wealth). Large water plants continue to be a major public works category in Florida, as we saw with the opening of Fort Lauderdale's $666 million Prospect Lake plant.

Implications for Owners, Developers, Contractors and Subs

• Active treatment plant work. The Tampa Bay Water expansion is already under construction, so the state grant supports work in progress rather than a new solicitation.
• Brackish water treatment is a growing niche. Polk County's projects will need wells, membrane treatment and concentrate disposal, which call for process mechanical, electrical and controls trades with water plant experience.
• Watch the reclaimed water awards. The $19.1 million in reuse projects and the springs septic to sewer work generate pipeline, pump station and utility contracts, often bid by local governments.
• Growth depends on supply. For developers in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Polk, new treatment capacity coming online in 2028 is part of what supports continued residential and commercial growth.

What to Watch

Watch for Tampa Bay Water construction milestones toward the 2028 online target, Polk Regional Water Cooperative procurement on the brackish projects, and local bid solicitations for the reclaimed water and septic to sewer awards.

Bottom Line

The state's latest water awards send $22.6 million to the Tampa Bay region, led by $10 million for Tampa Bay Water's 12.5 million gallon per day plant expansion. For the construction market, the awards keep a steady stream of water treatment and utility work moving across Central Florida.

Key Questions

How much did Tampa Bay Water receive from the state?

Tampa Bay Water received $10 million from the state's alternative water supply awards announced October 28, 2026, for its regional surface water treatment plant expansion (WUSF).

How much capacity will the Tampa Bay Water plant expansion add?

The Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant expansion will add up to 12.5 million gallons per day of treatment capacity (WUSF).

When will the Tampa Bay Water plant expansion be finished?

WUSF reports the Tampa Bay Water treatment plant expansion, which broke ground in March, is expected online in 2028 (WUSF).

What did Polk County receive in the state water awards?

Seven Polk County communities will share $12.6 million for brackish water supply projects coordinated through the Polk Regional Water Cooperative (Tampa Bay Business and Wealth).

Related Coverage

• Fort Lauderdale Opens $666M Prospect Lake Water Plant Delivered Through a P3
• St. Petersburg $600M Storm Resilience GO Bond Goes to Voters Nov. 3
• New York WQIP Grant Awards Total $249M for 181 Water Quality Projects

Image credit: Tampa Bay Water. Image from the source article.

Sources

• WUSF (News Service of Florida), DeSantis awards $100 million for water projects, including Tampa Bay Water's drinking water expansion, https://www.wusf.org/environment/2026-10-29/desantis-awards-100-million-for-water-projects-including-tampa-bay-waters-drinking-water-expansion
• Tampa Bay Business and Wealth, Tampa Bay water supply awards, https://tbbwmag.com/2026/10/29/tampa-bay-water-supply/
• WWSB, DeSantis announces $100 million for 45 water quality, springs and water supply projects, https://www.mysuncoast.com/2026/10/28/desantis-announces-100-million-45-water-quality-springs-water-supply-projects/