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After town‑hall concerns, council directs staff to explore temporary filtration and interlocal water connections
Summary
Citing continued concern about contaminants in local water, the Temple Terrace City Council voted to direct staff to pursue temporary filtration options (including granular activated carbon) and to seek commitments from Tampa and Hillsborough County about possible interconnections; council requested a workshop in August for scenarios and timelines.
The Temple Terrace City Council on June 2 formally directed city staff to explore interim filtration strategies and to contact neighboring water providers about potential interconnections after renewed public concern about local water quality.
Council members revisited the water‑treatment report presented at a recent town hall and asked whether short‑term steps could reduce PFAS and similar contaminants ahead of any long‑term construction. Staff said an interim option under consideration is granular activated carbon filtration, but emphasized it may require more frequent media changes because of local water hardness and that additional cost analysis is needed.
Council Member Kravitz moved to direct staff to (1) pursue responses from the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County about whether their systems could provide a wholesale or reseller connection, (2) evaluate temporary filtration options and costs (staff cited a rough potential annualized cost “up to $3 million a year” as part of the discussion), and (3) return to council with a plan. The motion passed after debate about whether an explicit council vote was necessary to formalize staff direction.
Council and staff flagged timing: staff said they expect to return with scenarios at an August workshop, and that written responses from Tampa about interconnection are pending. The city manager and staff will coordinate cost estimates, logistics (disinfectant compatibility, connection details) and an implementation timeline.
Why it matters: The motion creates a formal record of the council’s direction to pursue both short‑term public‑health measures and longer‑term interlocal options. Temporary treatment systems can reduce some contaminants quickly but may carry high recurring costs and operational tradeoffs; an interconnection would require agreement from neighboring utilities and technical adjustments at connection points.
What’s next: Staff will compile costs, siting and schedule options for an August workshop and will report back with recommended next steps.
