APOPKA, Fla. – An Apopka renter who contacted News 6 after discovering a utility balance of more than $30,000 now has a clearer picture of what happened — and city officials say the problem does not appear to be connected to Apopka’s previous water-meter and billing issues.
City records show water use at the East First Street property climbed sharply over several months before reaching 1,015,601 gallons during the latest billing period, which ran from Aug. 3 through Sept. 3.
The city-issued bill shows a total balance of $30,198.77. That does not represent one month of charges. The account carried a $20,890.49 past-due balance, while the latest billing period added $9,308.28 in current charges, including $8,462.07 for water and $846.21 in county tax.
The renter, Adam Golden, told News 6 he first realized something was wrong after the water was shut off and he logged into the account.
“We logged in to see what the situation was, and it was a $30,198 bill,” Golden said.
City records show water use climbing for months
The city’s own account history shows the increase was not limited to one billing cycle.
Water use listed in city records rose from 10,900 gallons in April to 57,262 gallons in May, then 330,144 gallons in June, 669,976 gallons in July and 860,642 gallons in August. The latest bill recorded 1,015,601 gallons.
That latest total averages to roughly 32,800 gallons per day, or about 23 gallons per minute, across the 31-day billing period.
The city says it first became aware of a “constant flow” of water in May 2026 and mailed a water-conservation notice to the property.
City Public Information Director Steven Montiero told News 6 the unusually high usage immediately stood out.
“We don’t see things like that, even with our previous water billing issues,” Montiero said. “The spike here was rather dramatic.”
The city later told News 6 it shut off water service in May, June and July. According to the city, the water was turned back on each time by either the resident or the property owner.
City officials have not said which person restored the service on each occasion.
On Sept. 23, city staff installed what officials call an Ally meter, which allows the city to control the water service remotely.
Montiero said the city can now turn the water on temporarily when needed and then shut it back off while the plumbing problem is addressed.
City says problem appears to be a slab leak
City officials visited the property Thursday after News 6 contacted the city about the account.
The city says staff first determined there was no leak on the city side of the meter. Montiero said the meter was functioning properly and officials saw signs of a possible problem on the private property.
After further inspection, the city told News 6 it now believes the problem appears to be a slab leak at the residence.
The city says this case is not connected to the previous water-meter and billing problems that affected other Apopka customers.
“This specific case is not related to any of that,” Montiero said.
Golden said city officials showed him records documenting the rise in water consumption.
“They pulled out an actual sheet showing the usage over the last two years, and then where the spike happened, and how it was just such a rapid escalation of water consumption,” he said.
Concern about where the water went
Golden said one of his biggest concerns is what that amount of water may have done beneath or around the property.
He said city staff checked several areas for signs of sinking or moisture and found only some softer spots near an oak tree.
“That’s a huge concern,” Golden said. “They went and did the jump test on a bunch of spots to see if there was any, like, sink or any moisture … and that’s what’s weird. There wasn’t.”
News 6 asked the city whether that much water could create concerns such as soil erosion, ground instability, sinkholes or foundation damage.
The city responded that “that much water can cause a multitude of issues to any property” and said the resident was instructed to contact the landlord as soon as possible to arrange appropriate inspections.
Montiero also said the location of the water was one of the city’s biggest questions when staff arrived at the home.
“Where does a million gallons of residential water go in just August?” he said.
Plumber repairs leak; more work planned
Golden later told News 6 that a plumber located and repaired the leak.
He said the plumber also plans to replumb the entire home as a precaution.
The city says once the leak is properly repaired, the resident or property owner can provide documentation of that work. The city will then review the account and determine what credit will be applied.
The city has not provided a specific credit amount.
Golden said earlier in the day that he hoped the plumbing problem could be fixed quickly and the bill could ultimately be adjusted.
“The plumber fixes the line and they average our bill back out to what it should’ve been,” he said when asked what he hoped would happen next.
For now, the city says the meter itself is working properly, the suspected leak is on the private side of the property and the final amount owed will depend on the city’s review after repair documentation is submitted.