Florida Construction News staff writer
Construction has begun on the South Hillsborough Pipeline, a 26-mile project designed to deliver drinking water to southern Hillsborough County, officials said.
Click here to watch a video detailing upcoming construction.
The pipeline, led by Tampa Bay Water, will carry up to 65 million gallons of potable water per day, connecting the Regional Surface Water Treatment Plant in Brandon to the Hillsborough County Lithia Water Treatment Plant and a new connection near Balm-Riverview Road.
Officials said the project is aimed at meeting the growing water demands of communities such as Boyette, Wimauma and Balm, while improving system reliability and providing redundancy for the region’s water supply.
Crews began mobilizing in November 2025, preparing for trenchless drilling under waterways and open-cut construction along the route. Motorists in Brandon have already encountered lane closures and temporary traffic changes near active construction zones.
The pipeline will be installed using a combination of trenchless and open-cut methods to minimize disruption to roads and waterways, Tampa Bay Water said.
The project, which is expected to be complete by late 2028 or early 2029, is estimated to cost $505.7 million, funded by Tampa Bay Water, the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hillsborough County.
For more information about the South Hillsborough Pipeline, visit southhillsboroughpipeline.com
