A major water infrastructure upgrade is underway in Tampa as crews begin work on a $181 million expansion of the Tampa Bay Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant.
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The project, which recently broke ground, is being delivered through a public-private partnership involving CDM Smith, Veolia Water North America and regional utility provider Tampa Bay Water.
Construction has already begun and is expected to continue through 2028, according to project officials.
Once complete, the expansion will increase the plant’s treatment capacity by up to 12.5 million gallons of drinking water per day, helping meet growing demand across the region.
The facility has played an important role in restoring nearby lakes and wetlands by reducing reliance on groundwater. Before the plant was built, groundwater served as the region’s only source of drinking water. Since then, groundwater withdrawals have dropped by nearly 50%, allowing natural ecosystems to recover.
“We’re expanding key treatment processes at the plant to increase capacity while building on what already works,” said Mike Kuhn, director of capital management at Veolia. “Site preparation is underway, and this next phase will bring those plans to life.”
The project will upgrade the existing facility while ensuring operations continue uninterrupted for communities that depend on the plant for daily drinking water supplies.
Enhancements will allow the plant to produce additional water without increasing permitted withdrawals from nearby rivers, maximizing the use of rainfall when it is available.
Influent refers to untreated water entering the treatment facility from surrounding rivers before purification.
Large-scale water infrastructure projects have recently emerged as a strong market segment for engineering and construction firms.
Executives at Jacobs recently highlighted strong global demand for water-related projects during the company’s latest earnings call. CEO Bob Pragada noted that water infrastructure continues to be a key growth sector both in the United States and internationally.
Similarly, AECOM and other major contractors have identified the water construction market as a growing opportunity as cities upgrade aging systems and expand capacity to support population growth.
Across the U.S., utilities are increasingly investing in treatment facilities, pipelines and stormwater infrastructure to ensure long-term supply reliability while addressing environmental challenges.
“This project represents the future of the region’s water supply,” said Frank Terrasi, president at CDM Smith Construction. “We’re focused on expanding the plant while keeping it running every day for the communities that rely on it.”
Officials say the improvements will strengthen the long-term sustainability of the region’s drinking water system while ensuring the treatment plant continues operating throughout construction.
Once finished, the expansion is expected to support regional drinking water needs through at least 2033, helping accommodate population growth while protecting nearby ecosystems.
The project also highlights the increasing importance of modernizing water infrastructure across the country, as utilities work to balance environmental protection with growing demand for clean and reliable drinking water.
Originally reported by Sebastian Obando, Reporter in Construction Dive.
