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Water utility wants to lower reservoir level to check cracks

By Bill Varian, Times Staff Writer
In print: Thursday, August 7, 2008

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The region's water utility plans to draw down water at the C.W. Bill Young Reservoir to get a better handle on what is causing cracks in its containment walls.

Gerald Seeber, general manager for Tampa Bay Water, emphasized Wednesday that the cracks pose no risk of a breach.

"It's the most sensible thing for us to do at this juncture," Seeber told Hillsborough County commissioners during a briefing Wednesday. "We're in the throes of doing several complex analyses to determine a remedy."

Seeber said the agency also wants to avoid filling the 15-billion-gallon reservoir during hurricane season, to avoid having wind from storms create waves that potentially worsen the problem.

The reservoir currently contains about 6-billion gallons, which Seeber said should be enough to offset the need for groundwater pumping during next spring's dry season, during which the analyses would take place.

State environmental officials first noticed cracks in June 2007 in "soil cement" surface walls that serve as erosion controls for the earthen bowl that holds reservoir water. The cracks have alarmed public officials, given that the reservoir is only about 3 years old.

Tampa Bay Water officials don't know the cause and are hoping a draw down will allow for a more thorough assessment of whether it is a design or construction problem. It should also help them plan a fix.

Commissioner Al Higginbotham, who represents that part of the county and serves on Tampa Bay Water, invited Seeber to Wednesday's meeting. He accepted Seeber's assurances about the integrity of the reservoir's walls. Still, he said it is important that the problem is fixed soon, since the reservoir serves an important role in alleviating the need for groundwater pumping blamed for drying wetlands and lakes.

But Commissioner Jim Norman said the agency needs to reassure people who live near the reservoir.

"While your mild tone is saying this, if I lived out there, I'd have the life scared out of me," he said. "I hope you've got State Farm for everyone around there."

Bill Varian can be reached at varian@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3387.