Apopka Builds New Water Storage
City officials aim to resolve a dispute with Altamonte Springs by adding 300 million gallons of capacity.
By Victoria Hayes ·
Apopka officials announced that the city will gain access to more than 300 million gallons of additional storage capacity for reclaimed water. This expansion addresses a long-standing infrastructure gap that has complicated a decades-long water-sharing agreement with Altamonte Springs. Construction is currently underway at the Golden Gem Reclaimed Water Facility in northwest Apopka.
The dispute stems from a 50-year agreement signed on June 19, 2013. Under this contract, Altamonte Springs provides Apopka with up to 4.5 million gallons of reclaimed water per day on an annual average basis. The terms also permit deliveries of up to 7 million gallons on any single day without extra written approval. While the water is supplied at no charge, Apopka is responsible for managing its intake and distribution.
Tensions escalated in January 2026 when Altamonte Springs sent a certified letter to Apopka. The letter, written by City Attorney Mary Sneed, accused Apopka of repeatedly requesting reductions or interruptions in water deliveries. Sneed stated that these actions violated the agreement and created operational difficulties for Altamonte Springs. The letter noted that such interruptions had occurred as early as October 2018 and continued through December 2025.
Apopka Utilities Operations Director Glenn Brooks acknowledged that the relationship between the two cities had become strained. He explained that the city faced two main obstacles: inadequate storage capacity and restrictions within its pipe network. The Cleveland Street utility facility, where water enters Apopka's system, can currently move only about 6.8 million gallons per day. This limit is tight considering Apopka also treats 3.8 million gallons of wastewater daily and receives water from other sources.
The current infrastructure includes roughly 6 million gallons of tank storage at Cleveland Street and 16 million gallons in lined ponds. However, moving water from the southern connection to the northern development areas, a distance of 10 to 15 miles, has created bottlenecks. Apopka Public Works Director Vladimir Simonovski said the new project will allow the city to store excess water when available and distribute it more effectively when demand rises.
Construction at Golden Gem began in September and is expected to last approximately 18 months. Completion is anticipated by spring 2028. The project includes a new pump station and a 30-inch pipeline extension. These improvements will connect the existing 300-million-gallon holding pond, completed in 2021, to the wider distribution network. Officials state the system will provide greater flexibility for managing water supplies and irrigation demands.
The Golden Gem work links to a separate $5,784,615 state grant secured in October. That funding supports the construction of 5,600 feet of new 30-inch transmission pipe along Plymouth Sorrento Road. Together, these projects aim to ensure Apopka can reliably receive and use the reclaimed water promised under the 2013 agreement.
