History of Pinellas County’s Water System
The Pinellas County Water System was created by a special act of the Florida Legislature in 1935 to provide water to county beach communities. Service was provided to the first customers in 1937. The statute required that the utility should operate as a proprietary facility, supported by its own revenue and other income.
The entire financial operation is funded by fees and other service-related revenues. The water system portion of Pinellas County Utilities does not receive funds to operate from any form of taxes.
Pinellas County Water System Timeline
- 1937: The first water supply system began operating and served less than 200 customers with 1-1/2 million gallons of water per day using the Walsingham Reservoir.
- 1951: Wells were developed in the Coachman area for additional supply.
- 1956: The Eldridge-Wilde Wellfield went into service to supply Pinellas County wholesale and retail customers with 15 million gallons of water per day.
- 1974: The East Lake Road Wellfield was placed into operation. This wellfield was dismantled by the County in 1995.
- 1975: Pinellas County purchased the Cross Bar Ranch for a future wellfield.
- 1976: Pinellas County and the City of St. Petersburg jointly developed and constructed the Cypress Creek Wellfield in Central Pasco County. Water transmission lines with 66-inch and 84-inch diameters were include. Operation of this facility was soon transferred to the newly-formed West Coast Regional Water Supply Authority.
- 1980: The first water was produced in April 1980 through a joint agreement with the regional authority.
- 1995: Pinellas County’s Water System, Sewer System, and Solid Waste Management consolidated to become today’s Pinellas County Utilities.
- 1998: A special district called Tampa Bay Water was created by interlocal agreement to supply wholesale water to its six member governments: Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
Southwest Florida Water Management District
The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) is one of five regional agencies directed by state law to protect and preserve water resources within its boundaries. It has expanded its duties to include managing water supply, as well as protecting water quality and natural systems.
SWFWMD encompasses all or part of 16 west-central counties, including Pinellas County. It is governed by a 13-member board that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate with a primary funding source of ad valorem taxes.
The SWFWMD is divided into eight basins, seven of which have separate Basin Boards. Members of the Basin Boards are also appointed by the governor and confirmed by the senate. These boards identify water-related issues in their basins, and provide programs and budgets to address these issues. The Pinellas-Anclote River Basin Board serves Pinellas County.