Tampa Bay Water to receive roughly $23–$24 million gross from PFAS litigation; board to track proceeds in separate fund

Tampa Bay Water officials told the board Monday that the agency has reached a gross settlement in the nationwide litigation over PFAS manufacturing and will receive roughly $23 million to $24 million, with net proceeds estimated at $17 million to $18 million. Augie Ribeiro, outside counsel with Ventura Law, said about 90 percent of the award comes from 3M and the remainder from DuPont and other defendants. The board was briefed on the distribution schedule and financial controls. “We’ve made a payment, one payment was made, last month. And I have another check here today to drop off,” Christina, a Tampa Bay Water staff member handling the financial update, told the board. Christina said the agency expects to receive about 65 percent of the total award by the end of this year and the remaining roughly 35 percent over the next four to five years. The board directed staff to establish a separate fund to track the settlement proceeds and any interest earned until the board decides on appropriation. Why it matters: The money is intended to address legacy contamination and water-quality needs connected to PFAS impacts. Board members repeatedly framed the award as an opportunity to invest in water quality and public health; they also praised staff and outside counsel for pursuing litigation where other utilities did not. How the settlement developed: Ribeiro outlined the agency’s role in earlier phases of the litigation: Tampa Bay Water joined national cases in 2019–2020 and performed supplemental testing that supported claims against component manufacturers of PFAS and PFOA. “Because this board gave us authority in 2020, the amount that we settled for Tampa Bay Water was a 25% increase,” Ribeiro said during his presentation. He characterized the result as a gross award of about $23–$24 million and estimated the immediate, resolved portion at about $21.7 million; additional recoveries from remaining defendants could increase the total. Board direction and next steps: The board approved staff’s plan to create a distinct accounting fund—similar to the agency’s handling of bond proceeds—so the settlement and any earned interest are tracked separately. Staff said they will return with options for use of the funds after internal review and legal constraints are fully documented. Board members emphasized water-quality uses as the first priority but did not make a spending decision Monday. What was not decided: The board did not commit to any expenditure plan; members declined to earmark funds at the meeting and said they expect a future discussion that will include staff recommendations and legal restrictions, if any. The timing of some smaller additional payments remains uncertain and depends on ongoing litigation against other defendants. Evidence and quotes are from the board meeting presentation and public discussion on July 21, 2025.