Tampa Bay Desalination Plant Faces Delays Due to Hurricanes

Construction at the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination facility has been hit with delays following the arrival of back-to-back hurricanes, Helene and Milton. These unexpected storms have significantly impacted the facility, disrupting progress just as critical repairs were underway.

A Vital Facility for Tampa Bay’s Water Supply

The desalination plant, located alongside the Big Bend Power Plant in Apollo Beach, is a crucial infrastructure that provides up to 10% of the region’s water supply. In November 2023, the plant was abruptly closed due to the failure of the rack framework supporting the osmosis pressure valves, an essential component of the water purification process.