Temple Terrace Approves $73 Million Water System Upgrade, Residents Face Potential Rate Hikes
Temple Terrace City Council is opting to upgrade its own water treatment system over purchasing water from Hillsborough County, a move expected to cost an estimated $73 million. This decision, coupled with a temporary fix for PFAS contamination, could lead…
Tampa St. Petersburg, FL, August 23, 2026 —
The Temple Terrace City Council has decided to move forward with a substantial upgrade to its own water treatment system rather than purchasing water from Hillsborough County. The project is projected to cost approximately $73 million.
This significant investment comes as the city grapples with issues including unusually hard water and contamination from PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals,” which have been detected at levels exceeding federal limits. To address the immediate PFAS contamination, a temporary fix is being implemented.
The decision to upgrade the city’s infrastructure, rather than relying on an external supply, could have a direct impact on residents’ utility bills. A potential water rate increase of up to 35% is anticipated for next year, linked to the costs associated with the system upgrade and the temporary contamination solution.
The timeline for the permanent water treatment system’s full operational capacity is not expected to be before the 2031 deadline. Further details regarding the contractor’s name and the specific timeline for the temporary fix were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by By John C. Cotey, Beacon Media on www.tampabay.com, see more information here.
