The city of Tampa dumps loads of of highly treated sewer water into Tampa Bay — approximately 55 million gallons' worth. A decade ago the city began allowing residents in South Tampa the opportunity to purchase reclaimed water to use for irrigation purposes.
Elected officials in other parts of the city, such as New Tampa, have decried the fact that they can't access that water for homes in that area, but the costs are prohibitive.
But Tampa is finally expanding its availability — and Mayor Bob Buckhorn is crediting the passage of a new state law in being able to do so. Though the expansion still only affects South Tampa, it bodes well for wider usage in the rest of the city in the future.
Last week the Legislature passed HB 639, a measure sponsored by House Republican Dana Young.
This article appears in Mar 15-21, 2012.