Stormwater treatment project leads to improved water quality at Lake Apopka and Upper Floridan aquifer

One of three retention ponds, now complete, were constructed to provide water treatment and storage.

MAITLAND, Fla., Nov. 20, 2017 — Work is complete on a project that will help improve water quality at Lake Apopka and provide increased flood protection in the town of Oakland. The St. Johns River Water Management District provided $184,803 in funding for the project.

“It is gratifying to see collaboration produce a project that will have multiple benefits,” said St. Johns River Water Management District Executive Director Dr. Ann Shortelle. “Partnership is the underlying theme for our cost-share program, and we commend the town of Oakland for its work to protect Florida’s water.”

Anticipating growth and development, the town of Oakland identified the project as a necessary component to protecting water quality by redirecting and treating stormwater before it enters Lake Apopka or the Upper Floridan aquifer. A secondary benefit includes reducing local flood potential by better directing stormwater into available swales and retention ponds.

The project included construction of drainage swales and retention ponds with nutrient-absorbing liners that reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loading in stormwater from flowing into Lake Apopka, and helps prevent flooding. The project also required the installation of piping to help convey water to the swales and ponds.

The total project cost was $560,000 and took nine months to complete.