{"id":433128,"date":"2026-10-20T16:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T16:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/433128\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T16:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T16:24:09","slug":"apopka-restores-treatment-at-lust-road-reclaimed-water-facility-after-eight-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/433128\/","title":{"rendered":"Apopka restores treatment at Lust Road reclaimed water facility after eight years\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The city of Apopka has restored its Lust Road reclaimed water facility so it can treat canal water after nearly eight years without full treatment operations, following more than $221,000 in repairs.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The North Shore facility was restored to operational condition Oct. 15, according to Steven Montiero, the city\u2019s director of public information. The restoration allows the city to withdraw water from the canal connecting to Lake Apopka when water levels and permit conditions allow.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe facility was not completely offline during that period,\u201d Montiero said in an Oct. 19 email to The Apopka Chief. \u201cDuring the preceding eight years, the facility primarily served as a repumping station, moving reclaimed water from the City\u2019s Cleveland Street Water Reclamation Facility for offsite distribution.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Montiero said the specific reason canal withdrawals were discontinued remains unavailable.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The restoration cost $221,806.61, excluding city labor expenses. Work included pond liner repairs, vegetation removal, pump and valve repairs, electrical improvements and equipment painting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additional improvements included replacement of an electrical panel and enclosure, installation of new analyzers and flow and turbidity meters, instrument calibration and upgrades to the facility\u2019s control systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The project was funded through the city\u2019s wastewater treatment and plant maintenance budget. Although the restoration was not originally budgeted for fiscal year 2026, funding became available through cost savings and the deferral of other projects, Montiero said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A February assessment identified equipment requiring rehabilitation, including chlorine treatment components and water-level transmitters. The assessment also documented structural concerns at the transfer pump station, vegetation affecting the facility\u2019s sand filters and the need for automation testing before startup.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The St. Johns River Water Management District<\/a> supported the restoration by performing canal vegetation management. The city remains responsible for maintaining and operating the facility.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Commissioner Sam Ruth praised the restoration in an Oct. 15 Facebook post, crediting cooperation among city staff, district officials and the city\u2019s leadership.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn only five months on the job, our new leadership team, city staff and district partners worked together to return the plant to its original design and restart operations,\u201d Ruth wrote.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ruth also credited former Mayor Joe Kilsheimer\u2019s administration and the district with establishing the project\u2019s original funding, while acknowledging Mayor Nick Nesta\u2019s oversight of the restoration.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Ruth, the facility includes a 3-million-gallon tank, two 10-million-gallon storage ponds, three 250-horsepower pumps and two 10,000-gallon chlorine tanks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The restored facility is expected to supplement the city\u2019s reclaimed water supply when canal and lake levels permit, providing greater flexibility in meeting demand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis supplemental source is intended to reduce reliance on groundwater from the Floridan aquifer and support water conservation efforts,\u201d Montiero said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

City officials said repairs and upgrades to the facility\u2019s pumps, controls and monitoring equipment are intended to improve operational reliability.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

Teresa Sargeant has been with The Apopka Chief for over 10 years.<\/p>\n

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