New technology helps Tampa address chemical concerns in water

Tampa has introduced a new technology to permanently eliminate contaminants from its drinking water, making it the first city in the nation to do so.

On Monday, city officials’ unveiled new technology designed to eliminate contaminants from the city's drinking water permanently. Officials claim that Tampa is the first city in the nation to make use of the technology.

They call this new technology "suspended ion exchange," or SIX for short. At the Tippin Water Treatment Plant, a $200 million system is being installed. When finished, it will be the biggest SIX globally.

Reducing PFAs (per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds) in drinking water is the goal of the technology. PFAs are synthetic compounds that are not decomposable in nature. 

Officials from the city claim that the new SIX technology is the first stage in their attempt to rid the water of PFAs and enhance its quality in the process.

The Tampa Water Department and the city of Tampa are dedicated to giving locals access to clean, safe drinking water. According to Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, there aren't many technologies that can reduce the amount of PFAs in drinking water; therefore, investing in this technology is essential to preserving the quality of the water for future generations.

In 2020, the Tampa Water Department conducted a test program for this technology. According to the pilot program, SIX will also save the department about $1.4 million annually by lowering the quantity of chemicals used to clean our drinking water.