Water and wastewater contractor Garney has broken ground on the new One Water – South Wastewater Conveyance and Treatment Project, or “One Water Project,” in Tampa. Garney said the massive project represents the largest capital improvement project in Hillsborough County’s history and will support population growth and expand water reuse capabilities.
The One Water Project is being delivered by Garney through a progressive design-build approach with engineer Hazen & Sawyer along with subconsultants Ardurra, Stantec and Wade Trim.
The project has three major components: the One Water Campus Advanced Wastewater Treatment Facility (AWWTF), the Balm Road Super Lift Station, and more 20 miles of wastewater and reclaimed water pipelines.
The treatment facility will be built for a capacity of 24 million gallons-per-day (MGD), with design considerations to expand to 30 MGD in the future with minimal operational disruption.
“What makes this project stand out is that it goes beyond simply adding treatment capacity,” said Eric Wagner, director of southeast plant operations at Garney.“At a time when growing communities are looking for more sustainable ways to plan ahead, Hillsborough County is setting a strong example through its long-term investment in infrastructure.”
The Balm Road Super Lift Station will be built with a capacity of 54 MGD with a 5 MG emergency storage tank. The additional pipeline work will consist of 10 miles of wastewater and 13 miles of reclaimed water pipelines using ductile iron pipe ranging from 42 to 48 in. in diameter. Once complete, the system will convey wastewater to the new treatment facility and send reclaimed water back into the county’s public reuse system.
“This project shows what is possible when an owner and delivery partners align early around long-term goals,” Wagner added. “Through progressive design-build, we have been able to work closely with Hillsborough County and the Hazen & Sawyer engineering team to plan a complex project in a way that improves coordination, supports smart decision-making, and keeps the focus on long-term value for the community.”
Pipeline construction began in the fall of 2025, and the advanced wastewater treatment plant and lift station groundbreaking marks the next major phase of work. The facility is expected to begin treating initial flows in September 2028, with completion of the full project anticipated in 2030.
The Hillsborough County One Water Project adds to a recent bevy of record-breaking construction projects being undertaken by Garney in the Tampa Bay area. In December, the contractor broke ground on Tampa Bay Water’s South Hillsborough Pipeline, a new 26-mile potable water pipeline being installed in two segments that will have a capacity of 65 million gallons per day. The $505.7 million investment is the largest project in Tampa Bay Water’s history in both value and pipeline length.
Source: Garney
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