APOPKA, Fla. \u2013 An Apopka renter who contacted News 6 after discovering a utility balance of more than $30,000 now has a clearer picture of what happened \u2014 and city officials say the problem does not appear to be connected to Apopka\u2019s previous water-meter and billing issues.<\/p>\n
City records show water use at the East First Street property climbed sharply over several months before reaching 1,015,601 gallons during the latest billing period, which ran from Aug. 3 through Sept. 3.<\/p>\n
The city-issued bill shows a total balance of $30,198.77. That does not represent one month of charges. The account carried a $20,890.49 past-due balance, while the latest billing period added $9,308.28 in current charges, including $8,462.07 for water and $846.21 in county tax.<\/p>\n
The renter, Adam Golden, told News 6 he first realized something was wrong after the water was shut off and he logged into the account.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe logged in to see what the situation was, and it was a $30,198 bill,\u201d Golden said.<\/p>\n
City records show water use climbing for months<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s own account history shows the increase was not limited to one billing cycle.<\/p>\n
Water use listed in city records rose from 10,900 gallons in April to 57,262 gallons in May, then 330,144 gallons in June, 669,976 gallons in July and 860,642 gallons in August. The latest bill recorded 1,015,601 gallons.<\/p>\n
That latest total averages to roughly 32,800 gallons per day, or about 23 gallons per minute, across the 31-day billing period.<\/p>\n
The city says it first became aware of a \u201cconstant flow\u201d of water in May 2026 and mailed a water-conservation notice to the property.<\/p>\n
City Public Information Director Steven Montiero told News 6 the unusually high usage immediately stood out.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t see things like that, even with our previous water billing issues,\u201d Montiero said. \u201cThe spike here was rather dramatic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city later told News 6 it shut off water service in May, June and July. According to the city, the water was turned back on each time by either the resident or the property owner.<\/p>\n
City officials have not said which person restored the service on each occasion.<\/p>\n
On Sept. 23, city staff installed what officials call an Ally meter, which allows the city to control the water service remotely.<\/p>\n
Montiero said the city can now turn the water on temporarily when needed and then shut it back off while the plumbing problem is addressed.<\/p>\n
City says problem appears to be a slab leak<\/p>\n
City officials visited the property Thursday after News 6 contacted the city about the account.<\/p>\n
The city says staff first determined there was no leak on the city side of the meter. Montiero said the meter was functioning properly and officials saw signs of a possible problem on the private property.<\/p>\n
After further inspection, the city told News 6 it now believes the problem appears to be a slab leak at the residence.<\/p>\n
The city says this case is not connected to the previous water-meter and billing problems that affected other Apopka customers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis specific case is not related to any of that,\u201d Montiero said.<\/p>\n
Golden said city officials showed him records documenting the rise in water consumption.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey pulled out an actual sheet showing the usage over the last two years, and then where the spike happened, and how it was just such a rapid escalation of water consumption,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Concern about where the water went<\/p>\n
Golden said one of his biggest concerns is what that amount of water may have done beneath or around the property.<\/p>\n
He said city staff checked several areas for signs of sinking or moisture and found only some softer spots near an oak tree.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s a huge concern,\u201d Golden said. \u201cThey went and did the jump test on a bunch of spots to see if there was any, like, sink or any moisture \u2026 and that\u2019s what\u2019s weird. There wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
News 6 asked the city whether that much water could create concerns such as soil erosion, ground instability, sinkholes or foundation damage.<\/p>\n
The city responded that \u201cthat much water can cause a multitude of issues to any property\u201d and said the resident was instructed to contact the landlord as soon as possible to arrange appropriate inspections.<\/p>\n
Montiero also said the location of the water was one of the city\u2019s biggest questions when staff arrived at the home.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere does a million gallons of residential water go in just August?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Plumber repairs leak; more work planned<\/p>\n
Golden later told News 6 that a plumber located and repaired the leak.<\/p>\n
He said the plumber also plans to replumb the entire home as a precaution.<\/p>\n
The city says once the leak is properly repaired, the resident or property owner can provide documentation of that work. The city will then review the account and determine what credit will be applied.<\/p>\n
The city has not provided a specific credit amount.<\/p>\n
Golden said earlier in the day that he hoped the plumbing problem could be fixed quickly and the bill could ultimately be adjusted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe plumber fixes the line and they average our bill back out to what it should\u2019ve been,\u201d he said when asked what he hoped would happen next.<\/p>\n
For now, the city says the meter itself is working properly, the suspected leak is on the private side of the property and the final amount owed will depend on the city\u2019s review after repair documentation is submitted.<\/p>\n
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