The Southwest Florida Water Management District and Plant City will conduct a study to evaluate methods of treating storm water and wastewater to improve water quality in Lake Thonotosassa.
Lake Thonotosassa has a history of being highly polluted. The lake previously received runoff from a wastewater treatment plant and shrimp processing plant. Over time, the watershed became highly urbanized, contributing to the high level of pollutants.
The feasibility study will evaluate the process of treating stormwater and wastewater with an alum treatment system in the Westside Canal. The Westside Canal discharges into Pemberton/Baker Creek, a tributary to Lake Thonotosassa.
Alum is a chemical agent that promotes the formation of large solid particles, or floc. Pollutants in the water attach to the floc and the water discharges into a pond where the pollutants settle and are removed before it discharges into Lake Thonotosassa.
The study will determine the water treatment systems capacity to reduce pollution, the impact of increasing water flows and levels in the creek and lake and potential issues related to mixing reclaimed water with storm water for lake restoration.
The study also will develop a preliminary design for the treatment system including estimated construction, operation and maintenance costs.
Lake Thonotosassa is a Surface Water Improvement and Management (SWIM) priority water body. The Florida Legislature established the SWIM Act in 1987, requiring the five water management districts to maintain a priority list of water bodies of regional or statewide significance. The districts develop plans and programs for the improvement of those water bodies.
The estimated cost of the study is $100,000 and will be funded by the Hillsborough Basin Board, the State SWIM Program and Plant City. The study is estimated to begin in August 2006.