STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
NOTICE OF DRAFT PERMIT

The applicant, Hillsborough County Public Utilities Department, applied on April 14, 2026, to the Department of Environmental Protection for a permit to aggregate existing, shared reuse and disposal systems of three wastewater treatment facilities that are operated by Hillsborough County
Public Utilities Department; South County Regional AWWTF (FL0028061), Falkenburg AWWTF (FL0040614) and Valrico AWWTF (FL0040983). The permit authorizes the facilities to discharge to a master reuse system which land applies up to 25.4 million gallons per day (MGD) annual average daily flow (AADF) of reclaimed water to a Part III slow-rate public access system, serving the general service areas of the South County Regional AWWTF (FL0028061), the Falkenburg AWWTF (FL0040614) and the Valrico AWWTF (FL0040983).The permit also allows for discharge of up to 10.0 MGD of effluent to Port Redwing Canal/Hillsborough Bay (WBID# 1693),Class III Marine waters, and intermittent discharge from stormwater storage ponds to Alafia River and Cypress Creek. This permit also authorizes disposal of 4.0 MGD of reclaimed water at an industrial user and injection of 29.5 MGD of effluent for operational testing to Class V underground injection wells. The facility is located at 6131 Covington Gardens Drive, Apollo Beach, Florida 33572 in Hillsborough County.

The permit application file and supporting data are available for public inspection during normal business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, at the Department’s Southwest District Office, 13051 N Telecom Pkwy, Suite 101, Temple Terrace, Florida 33637-0926, at phone number (813)470-5700 or email to HYPERLINK “mailto:PublicRecordsRequests_Regulatory@dep.state.fl.us.” PublicRecordsRequests_Regulatory@dep.state.fl.us.

NOTICE OF RIGHTS

The Department intends to issue the permit unless as a result of public comment appropriate changes are made.

Written Comments or Request for Public Meeting
Any interested person may submit written comments on the Department’s proposed permitting decision or may submit a written request for a public meeting to Emily Conaty, 13051 N. Telecom Pkwy., Suite 101, Temple Terrace, Florida 33637-0926 or via electronic correspondence at SWD_WF_Permitting@floridadep.gov, in accordance with Rule 62-620.555, F.A.C. The comments or request for a public meeting must contain the information set forth below and must be received in the Department’s Southwest District Office.

The comments or request for a public meeting must contain the following information:
(a) The commenter’s name, address, and telephone number; the applicant’s name and address; the Department permit file number; and the county in which the project is proposed;
(b) A statement of how and when notice of the Department’s action or proposed action was received;
(c) A statement of the facts the Department should consider in making the final decision;
(d) A statement of which rules or statutes require reversal or modification of the Department’s action or proposed action; and
(e) If desired, a request that a public meeting be scheduled, including a statement of the nature of the issues proposed to be raised at the meeting.
If a public meeting is held, any person may submit oral or written statements and data at the public
meeting on the Department’s proposed action. As a result of significant public comment, the Department’s final action may be different from the position taken by it in this draft permit.

Time Period for Submitting Written Comments or Requesting a Public Meeting
Comments submitted by any persons other than the applicant, and other than those entitled to notice under Rule 62-620.550, F.A.C., must be received within 30 days of publication of the public notice. Failure to submit comments or request a public meeting within this time period shall constitute a waiver of any right such person may have to submit comments or request a public meeting under Rule 62-620.555, F.A.C.

If a public meeting is scheduled, the public comment period is extended until the close of the public meeting. However, the Department may not always grant a request for a public meeting. Therefore, written comments should be submitted within 30 days of publication of this notice, even if a public meeting is requested.
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