Apopka approves sole-source composite repair for leaking wastewater treatment tank

Apopka approves sole-source composite repair for leaking wastewater treatment tankCity commissioners greenlit a contract with HJ3 Composite Technologies to rehabilitate a backup concrete wastewater tank that has been empty for years due to a severe cold joint failure.

The Apopka City Commission unanimously approved a sole-source procurement for HJ3 Composite Technologies to deploy its proprietary StrongHold system.

The concrete tank, which serves as the second stage of wastewater treatment, has been empty for several years due to wastewater leaking into the ground.

A failed seal at a cold joint allowed water to leak beneath the structure's slab and surface approximately 40 feet away.

City staff noted that conventional repair methods like epoxy injection or polyurethane grouting offer limited service life in aggressive wastewater environments.

The City of Apopka, Florida, is moving forward with specialized repairs to a compromised wastewater treatment tank after the City Commission unanimously approved a sole-source procurement agreement on July 1. The contract authorizes the use of HJ3 Composite Technologies to rehabilitate a concrete tank that serves as the second stage of the city's wastewater treatment process. The structure, which acts as a backup to a newer system constructed approximately seven years ago, has been sitting empty for several years due to severe structural leaks. According to city staff reports, a cold joint extending across the entire concrete structure experienced a seal failure. The breach allowed wastewater to leak beneath the structure's slab and surface approximately 40 feet away from the tank. After evaluating multiple repair options, city staff selected the proprietary HJ3 StrongHold repair system. The technology is specifically engineered for structural concrete rehabilitation and chemical protection in aggressive wastewater environments. Staff noted that conventional repair methods—such as epoxy injection, cementitious patching, and polyurethane grouting—were ruled out due to their limited service life when exposed to chemical attacks, cyclic loading, and continuous moisture. The sole-source designation was justified by HJ3's proprietary composite materials and engineering methods, which are not commercially available through general concrete contractors. The approval authorizes a blanket purchase order not to exceed the city's annual budgetary appropriations for fiscal year 2026.