Nation's Largest DBO Exceeds Expectations in Tampa Bay

The challenge

Nation's largest design-build-operate project delivers exceptional results.

Tampa Bay Water, a regional water authority and Florida's largest wholesale supplier, was in need of a new water supply source.
The proposed site, adjacent to wetlands and other natural systems, was subject to variable conditions in flows and raw water quality.
A plan would be necessary to ensure a sustainable water supply and a cost-effective approach.

To implement this project for Tampa Bay Water, Veolia North America brought together a team with special skills in operations, design and construction, and water treatment technologies, and included local and national engineering and construction partners.
Veolia’s ACTIFLO® treatment process was selected for its unique ability to treat water with high variability in water quality. The treatment plant was designed to meet or exceed the requirements of Tampa Bay Water's member governments, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the EPA.
A detailed monitoring plan was developed and implemented to ensure consistent evaluation of the withdrawals from the water supply sources to prevent environmental harm.
A hydrobiological monitoring program, which monitors hydrological and biological conditions in the rivers and canal, is essential to determining when water production should be rotated or adjusted.

Approximately $80 million is being saved on the first phase of the project.
Delighted with the results, TBW commissioners unanimously approved an expansion making the project not only among the most technologically sophisticated in the world, but the largest DBO in nation (120 million gallons per day).
Under a separate contract, Veolia began providing maintenance of the S.K. Keller Hydrogen Sulfide Treatment Facility in 2002. This 30-MGD plant strips hydrogen sulfide from groundwater.
To improve the quality of the surface water treatment facility's raw water supply, the agency awarded a third agreement to Veolia — for the O&M of a 15-billon-gallon raw water reservoir. Veolia immediately began developing a reservoir management plan to address the control of nuisance organisms, algae, vascular aquatic and terrestrial plants and provide recommendations to Tampa Bay Water for Best Management Practices for a surface potable water source supply reservoir.
The site became a multiple award-winning project from groups including the American Water Works Association - Florida Section, the National Council for Public-Private Partnerships, the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.
The project was honored with the 2012 Plant Operations Excellence Award from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.