A new 120 million-gal-per-day (mgd) water treatment plant is now providing Tampa Bay Water customers with drinking water that exceeds federal and state drinking water quality standards.
Designed, built and operated by Veolia Water North America and Tampa Bay Water, the new plant is the largest design-build-operate (DBO) drinking water project in U.S. history, representing a potential model for other cities facing growing populations, tight budgets and water resource challenges.
The cost savings from the project's first phase was substantial — $80 million on what was originally projected to be a $200 million budget by Tampa Bay Water's advisors. The speed of the project delivery by Veolia Water and its partners was escalated due to the unified approach offered by the DBO model.
Guarantees for water quality, water quantity, project timelines, and operations and facility maintenance were established that are otherwise not available without private-sector involvement. Tampa Bay Water also reduced its own administrative and consulting costs through a single procurement.
The project also offers extensive environmental benefits. The region was previously dependent on groundwater supplies, which when coupled with a rapidly growing population was not sustainable and resulted in damage to natural ecosystems.
Because of the substantial variability in quality of the region's source water, Tampa Bay Water specifically selected Veolia Water Solutions & Technologies' ACTIFLO clarification process.
The DBO process chosen by Tampa Bay Water streamlined this project delivery process to the public's immediate benefit. Their process enabled greater technology, innovation, speed and flexibility among the bidding entities. High water quality at the lowest life-cycle costs could thus be achieved because Veolia Water could bring all project disciplines to the table to establish integrated solutions and greater efficiency.
Source: Tampa Bay Water; Veolia Water North America
