Key Points
- Apopka city commissioners approved a $500,000 state-financed plan to rehabilitate the offline West wastewater treatment plant by May 15, 2027.
- The West Plant upgrade aims to meet 2028 nitrogen standards and add backup capacity to prevent system overload during storms.
- The city extended a grant to Aug. 1, 2028, for phosphorus removal testing at a Wekiva Glen wastewater unit to reduce pollution near Wekiwa Springs.
Apopka city commissioners unanimously authorized a state financing agreement to advance rehabilitation of the city’s offline West wastewater treatment plant and a grant extension for a phosphorus removal demonstration project on Wednesday.
Both measures passed in a single consent agenda vote without separate discussion, authorizing the mayor to execute the agreements with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The West Plant agreement initially awards $500,000 for planning through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, with the agreement estimating that the entire amount will be forgiven.
“Currently, only the East plant remains in operation,” city staff wrote in a report accompanying the financing request.
The West Plant is part of the city’s wastewater reclamation facility off East Cleveland Street. It was taken offline because of aging components and its inability to meet updated state nitrogen treatment standards taking effect in 2028, according to staff.
Staff said replacing outdated components and upgrading the plant would bring it into compliance, provide backup treatment capacity and strengthen the sewer system’s ability to handle storm-related surges. Continued growth and development increase the risk of system overload during major storms, the report states.
Staff estimates the overall project at $25 million, including approximately $19.2 million in state revolving fund financing subject to full principal forgiveness and approximately $5.8 million in local contributions.
Beyond the initial planning allocation, the agreement identifies approximately $18.7 million for design, construction and other expenses as contingent funding. Subsequent allocations require amendments, according to staff.
Planning is scheduled for completion by May 15, 2027. Design and construction funding depends on state acceptance of planning documents, project eligibility under the American Relief Act, 2025, and documentation of hurricane impacts directly related to the wastewater system.
Commissioners also authorized a grant amendment for a phosphorus removal demonstration at a distributed wastewater treatment unit in the Wekiva Glen subdivision.
The amendment extends the grant’s expiration by one year, through Aug. 1, 2028, revises the project timeline and updates agreement documents. It makes no funding changes and requires no local match, according to staff.
The demonstration builds on Apopka’s use of distributed wastewater treatment technology to replace septic tanks near Wekiwa Springs and reduce nitrogen pollution, according to the grant work plan.
The project will evaluate whether modifying an existing unit’s treatment cycle can improve phosphorus removal while maintaining treatment of nitrogen and organic waste.
Planned work includes adjusting operating conditions, installing monitoring instruments and collecting wastewater samples. Researchers will also evaluate how differences in incoming wastewater affect phosphorus removal.
Excess nutrients from wastewater can contribute to harmful algal blooms and degrade water quality, the work plan states. Wastewater pollutants can also affect groundwater, drinking water wells and nearby surface waters.
The demonstration operates as a reimbursement agreement, requiring department acceptance of project deliverables before the city can request payment for associated costs.