Water Wars starting to simmer again in Tampa Bay

A simmering feud between Tampa and the regional water authority avoided boiling over Monday, but little was resolved.

At a Tampa Bay Water meeting, board members requested Tampa work with the agency on the city’s plan to convert tens of millions of gallons a day of highly treated reclaimed water into drinking water.

Hillsborough County has a similar program in the works.

Tampa Bay Water was formed in 1998 to put an end to the water wars in that decade, but Tampa’s plan has stirred things up again. An attempt by Tampa to get the Legislature to settle the issue in its favor was scuttled last month. St. Petersburg officials have hinted at legal action. Pinellas County officials have said Tampa’s plan could blow up the water agency.

Tampa Bay Water has said that Tampa’s plan could threaten its debt obligations.