The Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant is a landmark water infrastructure project that provides a reliable, drought-resistant source of drinking water for Florida's Gulf Coast. As ACCIONA's first large-scale international desalination project, it marked an important milestone in the company's global expansion and demonstrated its expertise in solving complex operational challenges through innovative engineering and long-term asset management.
ACCIONA was awarded the contract to redesign, reconstruct, operate, and maintain the facility after it experienced significant operational challenges following its original commissioning. Through an intensive three-year rehabilitation program, ACCIONA modernized the plant's systems, improved automation, optimized treatment processes, and transformed the facility into a reliable source of potable water for the Tampa Bay region.
The reverse osmosis desalination plant has a treatment capacity of approximately 28.75 million gallons per day and is designed to supply at least 10 percent of the region's drinking water demand. By converting seawater into high-quality drinking water, the facility strengthens regional water security while reducing dependence on groundwater supplies and increasing resilience during periods of drought.
ACCIONA continues to operate and maintain the facility under a long-term operations and maintenance contract, applying continuous improvement initiatives that have enhanced reliability, efficiency, and performance while extending the plant's service life. Today, the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination Plant remains one of the largest seawater reverse osmosis facilities in the United States, providing a dependable, drought-resistant source of drinking water that supports the Tampa Bay region's long-term water security and sustainable growth.
GENERAL PROJECT INFORMATION
- Client: Tampa Bay Water
- Location: Tampa, Florida
- Contract Type: EPC and Operations & Maintenance
- Project Team: ACCIONA
- Project Status: Construction completed in 2008 – O&M ongoing
PROJECT SCOPE
- Reconstruction and modernization of the existing seawater desalination plant
- Installation of fully automated operating systems and process controls
- Optimization of treatment processes and plant reliability
- Reverse osmosis treatment capacity of 28.75 million gallons per day
- Long-term operation and maintenance of the facility
- Production of up to 10 percent of the Tampa Bay region's drinking water supply
INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY
ACCIONA transformed a facility that had experienced significant operational challenges into one of the United States' leading seawater desalination plants through innovative engineering, automation, and process optimization. The modernization program improved plant reliability, operational efficiency, and long-term performance while extending the facility's service life. Recent digital upgrades, including predictive monitoring technologies, continue to enhance operational resilience and water quality.
As a drought-resistant water source, the plant diversifies the region's water supply and reduces pressure on groundwater resources. By providing a dependable alternative water source regardless of rainfall conditions, the facility strengthens long-term water security and supports sustainable growth across the Tampa Bay region.
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
- Best Desalination Plant of the Year — Global Water Intelligence (2008)