Florida County Okays Desalination Plant.

• Position: Brief Article

Despite concerns from environmental groups, Tampa Bay moved a step closer to having its first desalination plant when Hillsborough County commissioners agreed to drop a challenge to the permit that will enable its construction. In return, commissioners will get an insurance policy valued between $26 million and $30 million to cover any future environmental damage caused by the plant's salty discharge. Construction begins in July on the plant, which is scheduled to begin providing up to 25 million gallons a day of drinking water by December 2002. The settlement agreement leaves the citizens group Save Our Bays, Air and Canals alone in challenging the...