Fertilizer firm tests pipeline to Apopka wastewater plant

Anuvia Plant Nutrients may reconnect its $100-million fertilizer operation to Apopka’s wastewater-treatment plant Monday, about two months after the company was ordered to stop piping its discharge to the facility.

Mayor Joe Kilsheimer and Anuvia CEO Amy Yoder said the city and the company have worked together to find solutions despite differences over causes that led to a temporary shutdown of Anuvia’s operation, which makes fertilizer used by farmers, at golf courses and on the turf at Orlando City’s soccer stadium.

After an 11-day shutdown, the company resumed limited production in mid-March under an agreement with the state Department of Environmental Protection.

The state required Anuvia to treat, test and monitor any wastewater discharged in a spray field near its facility on Jones Avenue, about a mile west of U.S. Highway 441.

Under terms of a new agreement, the company and the city will closely monitor a pre-treatment protocol and a pre-treatment system installed at the Anuvia plant.

The two sides hope to begin a live test on the safeguards Monday.

“If, for some reason, the test does not work — and the wastewater facility falls back into an ‘upset condition’ as a result of Anuvia’s outflow, the city is prepared to again order Anuvia to cease discharging into our wastewater collection system,” the mayor said.

“Again, we want to stress that this would not be anyone’s preferred outcome. At the same time, it is important to remember that the city’s wastewater facility must operate for the benefit of all Apopka residents and customers,” Kilsheimer said. “One customer cannot knock offline a facility that must serve everyone.”

The wastewater plant, built in 1972, is in line for a $62-million makeover.