Construction is progressing on the second of two new retention ponds that will store reclaimed water at Apopka’s Northwest Recreation Complex, 3710 Jason Dwelley Parkway.
The $1.6 million project recently created a large pond on 90 acres that is large enough to hold 23 million gallons of storm water runoff and other reclaimed water.
Most of the retention pond bottom is sealed with a thick liner to retain water – the upper four feet will be unlined to allow water to soak into the ground and replenish underground aquifers during heavy rain events. Construction is underway on a second and even larger pond to hold another 67 million gallons of storm runoff and reclaimed water. By comparison, the existing retention pond at Northwest can hold up to 116 million gallons.
Up to 120 truckloads of sand are moved each day from the newest retention pond – the material is sold for construction of the Interstate 4 roadway improvements in Orlando. Work on that pond should conclude later this year.
The next step in Apopka’s plans is to create another large retention pond on 102 acres of land contributed by the St. Johns River Water Management District off of Golden Gem Road north of Ponkan Road. The first phase will dig out about 55 acres for a pond – again, sand will be sold for the I-4 Ultimate construction project. Work could begin at this site within two months.
All this stored water is vital for irrigation of grass and landscaping for 6,500 customers in Apopka including homes, businesses and three golf courses. Even more, the new ponds will accommodate all new development for years to come.
Reclaimed water is collected from storm drains and Apopka’s wastewater treatment plant. Apopka also receives a million gallons of reclaimed water each day from the Sanlando area. Altamonte Springs provides Apopka with up to 5 million gallons a day – an amount that will increase to 7 million gallons a day in future years.
Apopka’s reclaimed water system is coordinated with the St. Johns River Water Management District, which is funding part of the city projects, and is responsible for water resource management in all or part of 18 Florida counties.
