Desal Plant Up and Running TAMPA (WUSF) - Testing is complete on the $158 million plant in Apollo Beach. And for the first time, it's producing what it was designed to do - provide 25 million gallons a day for the region.

The plant originally began producing drinking water in 2003, but had to be redesigned when the membranes that separate salt from the water began deteroriating. It is expected to provide 10 percent of the drinking water for Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties. © Copyright 2013, WUSF