Cypress Creek Transmission Main — Last Major Link in Tampa Bay Water's Regional Pipeline System

Abstract

Tampa Bay Water is Florida’s largest wholesale supplier of drinking water. In 1998 the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority was restructured to become Tampa Bay Water. In that same year the agency began design on a series of new water supply projects which had been recommended in the agency’s Master Water Plan. Completion of construction of these projects in 2005 transformed Tampa Bay Water from a single source (groundwater) to a multiple source (groundwater, surface water, desalinated seawater) supplier of water. These new projects included a 66 mgd surface water plant, a 15 billion gallon capacity above ground reservoir, a 25 mgd reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant, and over 60 miles of new interconnecting pipelines (36-inch to 84-inch diameter). Tampa Bay Water’s current pipeline network now consists of almost 200 miles of pipe, 130 miles of which is large diameter (36” – 84”). This paper discusses the history of the regional pipeline system, the development of alternative pipeline material specifications and designs, the configuration and composition of the current system i.e. use of various pipeline materials, system pressures, operational flexibility, and corrosion control and monitoring systems. Switching to a blended water supply has resulted in improved water quality. However, various blends have different effects on member customers’ distribution system pipe materials. The results and recommendations from a recent research study on various pipe materials are presented.