diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_shield_symbolizer.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_shield_symbolizer.cpp
index 5da6bad6a..57e5497f3 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_shield_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_shield_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -197,10 +197,6 @@ void export_shield_symbolizer()
         .add_property("shield_displacement",
                       get_shield_displacement,
                       set_shield_displacement)
-        .add_property("text_opacity",
-                      &shield_symbolizer::get_text_opacity,
-                      &shield_symbolizer::set_text_opacity,
-                      "Set/get the text opacity")
         .add_property("text_transform",
                       &shield_symbolizer::get_text_transform,
                       &shield_symbolizer::set_text_transform,
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_text_placement.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_text_placement.cpp
index b0abced77..79eee3366 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_text_placement.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_text_placement.cpp
@@ -127,7 +127,6 @@ void export_text_placement()
         .def_readwrite("text_size", &char_properties::text_size)
         .def_readwrite("character_spacing", &char_properties::character_spacing)
         .def_readwrite("line_spacing", &char_properties::line_spacing)
-        .def_readwrite("text_opacity", &char_properties::text_opacity)
         .def_readwrite("wrap_char", &char_properties::wrap_char)
         .def_readwrite("wrap_before", &char_properties::wrap_before)
         .def_readwrite("text_transform", &char_properties::text_transform)
diff --git a/bindings/python/mapnik_text_symbolizer.cpp b/bindings/python/mapnik_text_symbolizer.cpp
index 47f48699d..b7b4528e0 100644
--- a/bindings/python/mapnik_text_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/bindings/python/mapnik_text_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -76,7 +76,6 @@ struct text_symbolizer_pickle_suite : boost::python::pickle_suite
         extras.append(t.get_wrap_before());
         extras.append(t.get_horizontal_alignment());
         extras.append(t.get_justify_alignment());
-        extras.append(t.get_text_opacity());
         extras.append(t.get_minimum_padding());
         extras.append(t.get_minimum_path_length());
 
@@ -135,9 +134,8 @@ struct text_symbolizer_pickle_suite : boost::python::pickle_suite
         t.set_wrap_before(extract<bool>(extras[4]));
         t.set_horizontal_alignment(extract<horizontal_alignment_e>(extras[5]));
         t.set_justify_alignment(extract<justify_alignment_e>(extras[6]));
-        t.set_text_opacity(extract<double>(extras[7]));
-        t.set_minimum_padding(extract<double>(extras[8]));
-        t.set_minimum_path_length(extract<double>(extras[9]));
+        t.set_minimum_padding(extract<double>(extras[7]));
+        t.set_minimum_path_length(extract<double>(extras[8]));
     }
 };
 
@@ -231,10 +229,6 @@ void export_text_symbolizer()
                       &text_symbolizer::set_minimum_path_length)
         .add_property("name",&text_symbolizer::get_name,
                       &text_symbolizer::set_name)
-        .add_property("opacity",
-                      &text_symbolizer::get_text_opacity,
-                      &text_symbolizer::set_text_opacity,
-                      "Set/get the text opacity")
         .add_property("text_transform",
                       &text_symbolizer::get_text_transform,
                       &text_symbolizer::set_text_transform,
diff --git a/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp b/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
index cbce5e43e..ae41aca01 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/font_engine_freetype.hpp
@@ -349,7 +349,7 @@ struct text_renderer : private boost::noncopyable
     void render_id(int feature_id,double x0, double y0, double min_radius=1.0);
 
 private:
-    void render_bitmap(FT_Bitmap *bitmap, unsigned rgba, int x, int y, double opacity)
+    void render_bitmap(FT_Bitmap *bitmap, unsigned rgba, int x, int y)
     {
         int x_max=x+bitmap->width;
         int y_max=y+bitmap->rows;
@@ -362,7 +362,7 @@ private:
                 int gray=bitmap->buffer[q*bitmap->width+p];
                 if (gray)
                 {
-                    pixmap_.blendPixel2(i, j, rgba, gray, opacity);
+                    pixmap_.blendPixel(i, j, rgba, gray);
                 }
             }
         }
diff --git a/include/mapnik/formating/format.hpp b/include/mapnik/formating/format.hpp
index 1e61e120c..26f134204 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/formating/format.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/formating/format.hpp
@@ -42,7 +42,6 @@ public:
     boost::optional<unsigned> text_size;
     boost::optional<unsigned> character_spacing;
     boost::optional<unsigned> line_spacing;
-    boost::optional<double> text_opacity;
     boost::optional<bool> wrap_before;
     boost::optional<unsigned> wrap_char;
     boost::optional<text_transform_e> text_transform;
diff --git a/include/mapnik/graphics.hpp b/include/mapnik/graphics.hpp
index 72ea1fa02..9712cb410 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/graphics.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/graphics.hpp
@@ -214,17 +214,12 @@ public:
         }
     }
     inline void blendPixel(int x,int y,unsigned int rgba1,int t)
-    {
-        blendPixel2(x,y,rgba1,t,1.0);  // do not change opacity
-    }
-
-    inline void blendPixel2(int x,int y,unsigned int rgba1,int t,double opacity)
     {
         if (checkBounds(x,y))
         {
             unsigned rgba0 = data_(x,y);
 #ifdef MAPNIK_BIG_ENDIAN
-            unsigned a1 = (int)((rgba1 & 0xff) * opacity) & 0xff; // adjust for desired opacity
+            unsigned a1 = (int)(rgba1 & 0xff);
             a1 = (t*a1) / 255;
             if (a1 == 0) return;
             unsigned r1 = (rgba1 >> 24) & 0xff;
@@ -244,7 +239,7 @@ public:
             a0 = a0 >> 8;
             data_(x,y)= (a0)| (b0 << 8) |  (g0 << 16) | (r0 << 24) ;
 #else
-            unsigned a1 = (int)(((rgba1 >> 24) & 0xff) * opacity) & 0xff; // adjust for desired opacity
+            unsigned a1 = (int)((rgba1 >> 24) & 0xff);
             a1 = (t*a1) / 255;
             if (a1 == 0) return;
             unsigned r1 = rgba1 & 0xff;
diff --git a/include/mapnik/grid/grid.hpp b/include/mapnik/grid/grid.hpp
index bb8efec49..58f1315e5 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/grid/grid.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/grid/grid.hpp
@@ -265,19 +265,14 @@ public:
     }
 
     inline void blendPixel(value_type feature_id,int x,int y,unsigned int rgba1,int t)
-    {
-        blendPixel2(feature_id ,x,y,rgba1,t,1.0);  // do not change opacity
-    }
-
-    inline void blendPixel2(value_type feature_id,int x,int y,unsigned int rgba1,int t,double opacity)
     {
         if (checkBounds(x,y))
         {
 
 #ifdef MAPNIK_BIG_ENDIAN
-            unsigned a = (int)((rgba1 & 0xff) * opacity) & 0xff; // adjust for desired opacity
+            unsigned a = (int)(rgba1 & 0xff); // adjust for desired opacity
 #else
-            unsigned a = (int)(((rgba1 >> 24) & 0xff) * opacity) & 0xff; // adjust for desired opacity
+            unsigned a = (int)((rgba1 >> 24) & 0xff); // adjust for desired opacity
 #endif
             // if the pixel is more than a tenth
             // opaque then burn in the feature id
diff --git a/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp b/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
index 7f7190c51..4288d93d2 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/text_properties.hpp
@@ -60,7 +60,6 @@ struct char_properties
     float text_size;
     double character_spacing;
     double line_spacing; //Largest total height (fontsize+line_spacing) per line is chosen
-    double text_opacity;
     bool wrap_before;
     unsigned wrap_char;
     text_transform_e text_transform; //Per expression
diff --git a/include/mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp b/include/mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp
index 72534ffa9..6da656467 100644
--- a/include/mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp
+++ b/include/mapnik/text_symbolizer.hpp
@@ -117,8 +117,6 @@ struct MAPNIK_DECL text_symbolizer : public symbolizer_base
     double get_minimum_path_length() const;
     void set_allow_overlap(bool overlap);
     bool get_allow_overlap() const func_deprecated;
-    void set_text_opacity(double opacity);
-    double get_text_opacity() const func_deprecated;
     void set_wrap_before(bool wrap_before);
     bool get_wrap_before() const func_deprecated; // wrap text at wrap_char immediately before current work
     void set_horizontal_alignment(horizontal_alignment_e valign);
diff --git a/src/font_engine_freetype.cpp b/src/font_engine_freetype.cpp
index 61eaf59ef..c768e17c3 100644
--- a/src/font_engine_freetype.cpp
+++ b/src/font_engine_freetype.cpp
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ void text_renderer<T>::render(double x0, double y0)
                 FT_BitmapGlyph bit = (FT_BitmapGlyph)g;
                 render_bitmap(&bit->bitmap, pos->properties->halo_fill.rgba(),
                               bit->left,
-                              height - bit->top, pos->properties->text_opacity);
+                              height - bit->top);
             }
         }
         FT_Done_Glyph(g);
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ void text_renderer<T>::render(double x0, double y0)
             FT_BitmapGlyph bit = (FT_BitmapGlyph)pos->image;
             render_bitmap(&bit->bitmap, pos->properties->fill.rgba(),
                           bit->left,
-                          height - bit->top, pos->properties->text_opacity);
+                          height - bit->top);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/load_map.cpp b/src/load_map.cpp
index d8b3be905..ea8edc755 100644
--- a/src/load_map.cpp
+++ b/src/load_map.cpp
@@ -1408,15 +1408,6 @@ void map_parser::parse_shield_symbolizer( rule & rule, ptree const & sym )
             shield_symbol.set_opacity(*opacity);
         }
 
-        // text-opacity
-        // TODO: Could be problematic because it is named opacity in TextSymbolizer but opacity has a diffrent meaning here.
-        optional<double> text_opacity =
-            get_opt_attr<double>(sym, "text-opacity");
-        if (text_opacity)
-        {
-            shield_symbol.set_text_opacity( * text_opacity );
-        }
-
         // unlock_image
         optional<boolean> unlock_image =
             get_opt_attr<boolean>(sym, "unlock-image");
diff --git a/src/save_map.cpp b/src/save_map.cpp
index 54d1c1ac1..ba6447a79 100644
--- a/src/save_map.cpp
+++ b/src/save_map.cpp
@@ -206,10 +206,6 @@ public:
         {
             set_attr(sym_node, "unlock-image", sym.get_unlock_image());
         }
-        if (sym.get_text_opacity() != dfl.get_text_opacity() || explicit_defaults_)
-        {
-            set_attr(sym_node, "text-opacity", sym.get_text_opacity());
-        }
         position displacement = sym.get_shield_displacement();
         if (displacement.first != dfl.get_shield_displacement().first || explicit_defaults_)
         {
diff --git a/src/text_placements.cpp b/src/text_placements.cpp
index 255958835..c4859de40 100644
--- a/src/text_placements.cpp
+++ b/src/text_placements.cpp
@@ -233,7 +233,6 @@ char_properties::char_properties() :
     text_size(10.0),
     character_spacing(0),
     line_spacing(0),
-    text_opacity(1.0),
     wrap_before(false),
     wrap_char(' '),
     text_transform(NONE),
@@ -262,8 +261,6 @@ void char_properties::from_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree const &sym, std::map<
     if (tconvert_) text_transform = *tconvert_;
     optional<double> line_spacing_ = get_opt_attr<double>(sym, "line-spacing");
     if (line_spacing_) line_spacing = *line_spacing_;
-    optional<double> opacity_ = get_opt_attr<double>(sym, "opacity");
-    if (opacity_) text_opacity = *opacity_;
     optional<std::string> wrap_char_ = get_opt_attr<std::string>(sym, "wrap-character");
     if (wrap_char_ && (*wrap_char_).size() > 0) wrap_char = ((*wrap_char_)[0]);
     optional<std::string> face_name_ = get_opt_attr<std::string>(sym, "face-name");
@@ -343,11 +340,6 @@ void char_properties::to_xml(boost::property_tree::ptree &node, bool explicit_de
     {
         set_attr(node, "character-spacing", character_spacing);
     }
-    // for shield_symbolizer this is later overridden
-    if (text_opacity != dfl.text_opacity || explicit_defaults)
-    {
-        set_attr(node, "opacity", text_opacity);
-    }
 }
 
 /************************************************************************/
diff --git a/src/text_processing.cpp b/src/text_processing.cpp
index f9b74f3f3..e45cc3101 100644
--- a/src/text_processing.cpp
+++ b/src/text_processing.cpp
@@ -206,7 +206,6 @@ void format_node::to_xml(ptree &xml) const
     if (text_size) set_attr(new_node, "size", *text_size);
     if (character_spacing) set_attr(new_node, "character-spacing", *character_spacing);
     if (line_spacing) set_attr(new_node, "line-spacing", *line_spacing);
-    if (text_opacity) set_attr(new_node, "opacity", *text_opacity);
     if (wrap_before) set_attr(new_node, "wrap-before", *wrap_before);
     if (wrap_char) set_attr(new_node, "wrap-character", *wrap_char);
     if (text_transform) set_attr(new_node, "text-transform", *text_transform);
@@ -230,7 +229,6 @@ node_ptr format_node::from_xml(ptree const& xml)
     n->text_size = get_opt_attr<unsigned>(xml, "size");
     n->character_spacing = get_opt_attr<unsigned>(xml, "character-spacing");
     n->line_spacing = get_opt_attr<unsigned>(xml, "line-spacing");
-    n->text_opacity = get_opt_attr<double>(xml, "opactity");
     boost::optional<boolean> wrap = get_opt_attr<boolean>(xml, "wrap-before");
     if (wrap) n->wrap_before = *wrap;
     n->wrap_char = get_opt_attr<unsigned>(xml, "wrap-character");
@@ -249,7 +247,6 @@ void format_node::apply(char_properties const& p, const Feature &feature, proces
     if (text_size) new_properties.text_size = *text_size;
     if (character_spacing) new_properties.character_spacing = *character_spacing;
     if (line_spacing) new_properties.line_spacing = *line_spacing;
-    if (text_opacity) new_properties.text_opacity = *text_opacity;
     if (wrap_before) new_properties.wrap_before = *wrap_before;
     if (wrap_char) new_properties.wrap_char = *wrap_char;
     if (text_transform) new_properties.text_transform = *text_transform;
diff --git a/src/text_symbolizer.cpp b/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
index 788dd1460..8ac81d13b 100644
--- a/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
+++ b/src/text_symbolizer.cpp
@@ -406,16 +406,6 @@ bool text_symbolizer::get_allow_overlap() const
     return placement_options_->properties.allow_overlap;
 }
 
-void text_symbolizer::set_text_opacity(double text_opacity)
-{
-    placement_options_->properties.default_format.text_opacity = text_opacity;
-}
-
-double text_symbolizer::get_text_opacity() const
-{
-    return placement_options_->properties.default_format.text_opacity;
-}
-
 void text_symbolizer::set_vertical_alignment(vertical_alignment_e valign)
 {
     placement_options_->properties.valign = valign;