A 26-mile drinking water pipeline now under construction through south-central Hillsborough County will carry up to 65 million gallons per day to communities where the population is expected to double by 2050.
The South Hillsborough Pipeline, at $505.7 million, is the largest project in Tampa Bay Water's history. It runs from the agency's Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant in Brandon south to Hillsborough County's Lithia Water Treatment Plant and terminates at a new connection point near Balm Riverview and Balm roads. The pipe ranges from 3 to 5 feet in diameter.
Apollo Beach's population is projected to double by 2050, according to Tampa Bay Water's project overview. Wimauma is expected to more than triple in the same period, with Riverview growing by more than 30%.
"We are developing homes here, but we didn't have the infrastructure before," Hillsborough County Commissioner Christine Miller said at the April 2026 groundbreaking for the county's related One Water wastewater project, as reported by the Osprey Observer. "And so, as the people continue to push outside of the city, we have to provide the resources for them."
Construction began in November 2025. Crews are working 10 hours a day, six days a week, according to the project's construction FAQ. The pipeline is scheduled to be in service by late 2028, with final restoration complete by summer 2029.
Funding comes from state, county and utility debt
The Southwest Florida Water Management District has committed $145 million in co-funding. The state provided an additional $2.9 million in grants. Hillsborough County is paying for Segment B, the southern leg running from near FishHawk Boulevard to the Balm-area connection, estimated at $84 million. Tampa Bay Water's project FAQ notes the agency may need to issue debt for remaining Segment A costs, which could eventually affect customer water bills.
Trenching and tunneling bring road closures, business complaints
About 24 of the 26 miles are being installed by open trench. The remaining two miles use tunneling at 17 locations, including beneath the Alafia River, Bell Creek, Fishhawk Creek and Balm Boyette Road.
As reported Aug. 12, Ronele Drive closed for pipeline work. South Kings Avenue is closed nightly from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. between Ronele Drive and Bloomingdale Avenue through at least Saturday, Aug. 15. North Kings Avenue closed at Victoria Street on Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The Boyette Road and FishHawk Boulevard corridor faces 12 to 16 months of lane diversions starting in July 2026. Business owners in the South Shore area have reported fewer customers because construction-related traffic has made their shops harder to reach, according to The Southshore Circle community newsletter.
Crews mobilized on the east side of Balm Boyette Road near Woodland Spur Drive on Monday, Aug. 10, to begin shoring for a tunnel. Work on the west side is expected in mid-August.
Pipeline is one piece of a $2.1 billion regional water overhaul
The pipeline is part of a broader infrastructure push. Hillsborough County's separate $1.6 billion One Water Program addresses wastewater needs across the same fast-growing South-Central Service Area, which includes Apollo Beach, Ruskin, Riverview, Brandon and Wimauma.
The pipeline does not connect directly to homes or businesses. Tampa Bay Water operates it as a wholesale transmission line; Hillsborough County then distributes water to retail customers.
Residents along the construction route can sign up for email alerts at SouthHillsboroughPipeline.com/contact or call 813-485-6480.
