Apopka secures $1M state grant to replace asbestos cement water pipes

Apopka secures $1M state grant to replace asbestos cement water pipesThe City of Apopka will leverage Florida Department of Environmental Protection funding to replace aging drinking water mains, opting for complete open-cut replacement over cured-in-place pipe rehabilitation.

The Apopka City Commission unanimously approved a $1,057,500 grant agreement with the FDEP for Phase 2 of its pipe replacement program.

The project targets the design and replacement of approximately 13,100 linear feet of asbestos cement piping and 2,500 linear feet of galvanized piping.

Public Works Director Dr. Vladimir Simonovsky confirmed the project will utilize complete pipe replacement rather than cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining.

The state grant requires no local match, supplementing a separate $2.5 million HUD grant for the multi-year infrastructure overhaul.

On May 6, 2026, the Apopka City Commission unanimously authorized an agreement with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to accept $1,057,500 in grant funding for the replacement of aging drinking water infrastructure. The funding supports Phase 2 of a multi-year effort to eliminate legacy materials from the city's 368-mile potable water distribution system. Specifically, the FDEP grant will fund preconstruction and construction activities to replace approximately 13,100 linear feet of asbestos cement (AC) pipes and 2,500 linear feet of galvanized pipes. According to staff reports, the city's broader network currently contains 10.8 miles of AC pipes and 2.1 miles of galvanized pipes, which pose risks to water quality and system reliability. During the meeting, the consent agenda item was pulled for discussion to clarify the city's rehabilitation methodology, specifically whether the utility would utilize cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) felt resin inserts. Public Works Director Dr. Vladimir Simonovsky clarified the city's approach, stating, "This is going to be a complete replacement of the asbestos cement pipes, and the same thing with the galvanized pipes." The new infrastructure will consist of polyvinyl chloride and high-density polyethylene pipes. The FDEP grant allocates $485,066 for preconstruction and design services and $572,434 for construction, with no local match required from the city. This state funding supplements a separate $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) secured for the same phase. The city previously expended $1.26 million in local funds for Phase 1 of the replacement program.