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Water Levels Draw Concern

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 2, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - TEMPLE TERRACE - Standing near the edge of the Hillsborough River at Rotary Riverfront Park on Thursday morning, City Councilman Frank Chillura turned to a group of about two dozen river supporters.

"This river - the city's most valuable asset - is in serious danger. Not only is its low water level affecting our aesthetics, its poor water quality is disturbing our fish and wildlife, and it's upsetting to those who aren't able to navigate it," Chillura said.

Resident Rob Woodard, who lives near the site, has experienced firsthand the effects of the low water level of the river, eight miles of which meanders through Temple Terrace.

"We can't canoe in the river because of all the rocks and stuff," he said.

Ron Smith, also a Temple Terrace resident, noted that even though it rained most of the previous weekend, the water level had not risen near his home by the river.

Chillura fears that without a "clear, loud voice" to speak on behalf of the city on the issue, the problem may never be solved and could become worse.

"We can't control Mother Nature, but maybe we can have a say in curbing the city of Tampa from pumping about 82 million gallons of water a day from the 'middle' river," which includes the stretch than runs through Temple Terrace, Chillura said. "Instead, I'd like to see Tampa move toward the use of reclaimed water" for the watering of lawns.

Lacking a widespread distribution system for reclaimed water, Tampa discharges about 55 million gallons of treated wastewater daily into Tampa Bay.

In addition to serving on the city council, Chillura heads up the Temple Terrace River Watch Task Force, a small group of volunteers and two city staff members: code compliance director Joe Gross and marine officer Carl Avari-Cooper. The group's mission is to create an effective communication channel between the city and the Southwest Florida Water Management District, the state agency that governs the river.

"Swiftmud has the ability to be more strict or lenient with its regulations," Chillura said.

During a task force meeting at city hall following the gathering at the river, Avari-Cooper proposed asking the Temple Terrace City Council to consider appointing a permanent river watch advisory board.

"I've done this job long enough to know whether I can navigate safely or not, and the river is now about 21/2 feet from doing that," said Avari-Cooper, whose job it is to patrol the river. "I went out in an airboat, and I got stuck between a couple of rocks."

The other task force members favored the idea. They suggested that a five-member board serve in staggered three-year terms and that each member be allowed to serve three terms. The board's chairman would be appointed annually.

"The more people do today to address the issue, the better stewards they will be toward saving the drinking water 20 years from now," Avari-Cooper said.

Chillura has a meeting scheduled July 21 with Swiftmud director David Moore and Hillsborough County Basin Board member Renee Benton, a resident of Temple Terrace. He hopes there will be some discussion of the study of the "middle" river the agency promised to conduct earlier this year.

"Swiftmud has a very difficult job on its hands, I know that, but I haven't heard anything about the study," he said. "If we don't get any help, we may have to go to a higher level."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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