Tampa Bay Water
Since 1982, Water & Air Research, Inc. has provided ecological monitoring and environmental assessment services for Tampa Bay Water (formerly the West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority) in northwest Hillsborough County, Florida. The program supports compliance with the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Consolidated Water Use Permit and evaluates the hydrologic and ecological conditions of wetland communities surrounding regional water supply wellfields.
The monitoring program encompasses a 130-square-mile study area that includes five potable water wellfields and a variety of wetland and upland ecosystems. Water & Air monitors more than 68 sites representing cypress domes and strands, emergent marshes, lakes, ponds, streams, and upland communities. Water levels from 72 lakes are also analyzed to evaluate hydrologic conditions throughout the study area. Monitoring locations are selected based on their proximity to active production wells, representation of local ecosystems, and use as control or reference sites.
Water & Air’s environmental assessment integrates multiple monitoring methods and data sources to evaluate changes in wetland vegetation and hydrology over time. The annual Wetland Assessment Procedure monitoring documents the distribution of groundcover, shrub, and tree species, while aerial photo interpretation and ground photography provide additional information on regional changes and site-specific conditions over time. Other data include wetland investigations and mapping, jurisdictional delineations, soil assessments, wildlife observations, precipitation, surface and groundwater levels, stream flow, and water production quantities and quality. These data are analyzed collectively to help identify environmental changes and assess potential relationships with natural influences, wellfield operations, regional development, and drainage.
Under the renewed contract, Water & Air will continue providing environmental monitoring, data analysis, and assessment services across the assigned wellfield areas in accordance with Tampa Bay Water’s Environmental Management Plan and applicable Consolidated Water Use Permit requirements. The program supports ongoing evaluation of wetland health and hydrologic conditions, helping Tampa Bay Water assess potential environmental changes and maintain regulatory compliance while operating its regional water supply system.