1998-01-05 Water & Sewer
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 5, 1998PAGE 405
ASSEMBLY
The District Board of Commissioners of the New Hanover County Water and Sewer District
held a regular meeting on Monday, January 5, 1998, at 10:37 P.M. in the Assembly Room of the New
Hanover County Courthouse, 24 North Third Street, Wilmington, North Carolina.
Members present were: District Commissioners Buzz Birzenieks; William A. Caster; Ted
Davis, Jr.; Vice-Chairman Charles R. Howell; Chairman Robert G. Greer; County Manager, Allen
O’Neal; County Attorney, Wanda M. Copley; and Clerk to the Board, Lucie F. Harrell.
Chairman Greer called the meeting to order.
NON-AGENDAITEMS
Chairman Greer announced that time had been reserved to allow anyone from the general
public to present an item that was not listed on the regular agenda. He requested all persons speaking
to limit their remarks to three minutes.
No items were presented.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster
to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 8, 1997, as presented by the Clerk to
the District Board. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT 50,000 GALLONS PER DAY OF
WASTEWATER CONVEYED FROM PENDER COUNTY/DEL LABS
Chairman Greer requested to be recused from discussing or voting on this issue since he was
a consultant for Del Labs.
Motion:
District Commissioner Caster MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Birzenieks
to recuse Chairman Greer from discussing or voting on the resolution. Upon vote, the MOTION
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Greer requested Vice-Chairman Howell to preside over the meeting.
Vice-Chairman Howell inquired as to whether anyone from the public would like to comment.
The following remarks were received:
Mr. Tim Baldwin, representing McKim & Creed Engineers, reported that Del Labs was a
facility located in the old Carver Boat facility across the river from Castle Hayne in Pender County.
The facility has a small treatment and disposal system designed to treat 20,000 gallons per day of
domestic waste. When the manufacturing division of Del Labs relocates to Pender County, the
company will need to treat an additional 7,500 to 15,000 gallons per day of
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 5, 1998PAGE 406
processed waste. Negotiations are occurring with the City of Wilmington pre-treatment staff to
analyze the processed wastewater to determine the degree of treatment.
Initially, Del Labs felt that an on-site wastewater treatment system could be designed to
accommodate the facility with use of a spray irrigation system; however, there were environmental
concerns about wetlands and the proximity of the plant to the Cape Fear River. With construction
of the Ogden Interceptor and NorthChase Interceptor by New Hanover County, Del Labs felt it
would be better to request treatment of the wastewater from New Hanover County in lieu of
installing another small wastewater treatment plant. Discussion has been held with the County
Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, and the City staff about accepting 50,000 gallons per day of wastewater.
It appears this option is feasible. A line can be constructed across the Cape Fear River to connect
Del Labs to the NorthChase Interceptor via the outfall sewer from NorthChase, which will be
abandoned when the NorthChase Interceptor project is completed.
Discussion followed on the amount of domestic and processed wastewater to be treated daily.
Mr. Baldwin advised that 1,700 to 15,000 gallons per day of processed waste would have to be
treated as well as domestic waste ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 gallons per day. The City has the
right to treat the processed waste or require treatment on the Del Labs site. This will depend upon
the findings of the pre-treatment analysis. The wastewater must meet the City of Wilmington Sewer
Use Ordinance Standards.
Mr. Scott Satterfield, Executive Director of the Committee of 100, reported in the spring of
1997, it was announced that the warehouse distribution division of Del Labs would move to Pender
County. At that time, it was felt the manufacturing portion could be moved at a later date. The
manufacturing portion is the reason for the request. The warehouse distribution division has been
able to use the existing package treatment plant with less than 100 employees, which will increase to
200 employees within the next month. If the decision is made by Del Labs to move the manufacturing
division to Pender County, approximately 1,000 more jobs will be created over the next three years.
In order for the manufacturing phase to be implemented, the processed wastewater will have to be
treated.
In closing, Mr. Satterfield reported an announcement should be received in the near future
about the relocation of Del Labs to Pender County with the exception of a few executive level jobs.
The expansion of this company will greatly enhance the economy in this region.
County Manager O’Neal commented on concerns received from residents in the Castle Hayne
area, and he requested the County Engineer, Wyatt Blanchard, to report on the future plans for
providing sewer to the area.
County Engineer Blanchard presented a map of the existing discharge line that goes from the
NorthChase Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Vision Software Treatment Plant to the Cape Fear
River. With construction of the Ogden Interceptor and NorthChase Interceptor, these treatment
plants will be eliminated and the waste flow in the Castle Hayne area will be carried to the City’s
Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant on 23rd Street by December 30, 1998.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 5, 1998PAGE 407
The Castle Hayne Collection System is scheduled to be completed by June 20, 2002. The
design phase of the project should begin in 2001. The system will serve the immediate Castle Hayne
area and surrounding areas that have the number of required houses per mile.
Discussion followed on the completion date of the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant
expansion. County Engineer Blanchard stated this project should be completed by June 30, 2001.
Vice-Chairman Howell inquired as to whether accepting the capacity from Del Labs will
interfere with anyone from New Hanover County acquiring a sewage tap?
County Engineer Blanchard responded under the proposed time fame, there should be no
problem with any resident from New Hanover County securing a sewerage tap. The District will
begin to receive requests from the Castle Hayne area to connect to the system once the project is
completed.
District Commissioner Davis stressed the importance of everyone understanding the following
facts if the request from Pender County and Del Labs is approved: (1) allocation of the 50,000 gallons
per day capacity to Pender County/Del Labs will not keep New Hanover County residents from being
able to connect to the Sewer System; (2) there will be no cost to New Hanover County; (3) Pender
County and Del Labs will pay for construction of the sewer line; and (4) Del Labs will pay to hook
onto the system and pay the standard fee for treatment of wastewater with the revenue collected
being distributed to New Hanover County and the City of Wilmington.
County Engineer Blanchard noted that Del Labs will also pay the cost to expand the plant to
replace the capacity being used. Once the Northside Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion is
completed, the capacity will be increased from 12,000,000 to 14,000,000 gallons per day.
District Commissioner Davis asked Pender County Manager, John Bauer, if the capacity
requested by Del Labs could have been provided by Pender County?
County Manager Bauer responded that Pender County committed to installing the facilities,
either a pipe line and pump station, or a wastewater treatment plant; however, the regional agreement
being proposed was the best alternative because the spray field irrigation system could create
environmental problems.
District Commissioner Davis emphasized the fact that approval of the request would be a
regional cooperative effort between New Hanover County and Pender County to accommodate Del
Labs, which will create new jobs and stimulate the economy for both Pender County and New
Hanover County.
Discussion followed on the construction cost of the sewer line. County Manager Bauer
advised that Pender County would pay for construction of the line through grant funding and a local
match of $250,000. Del Labs will pay the user fees for treatment of the waste.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 5, 1998PAGE 408
Mr. Daniel Alton Parker, owner of Ace Septic Tank Company, reported his septic tank trucks
had been parked since 1991 because there was no place to dump septic sewage. After reading the
paper regarding the Del Labs request, he called Prince George, Prince William, and Fairfax counties
in Virginia and was told that state law requires septic tanks to be pumped out every five years with
the septic sewage being placed in municipal wastewater treatment plants. Documents must be signed
by the property owner and septic tank company to ensure the law has been enforced. These counties
allow septic sewage and grease traps from restaurants to be dumped into municipal wastewater
treatment plants. The pumpers are charged $20 per load with a $300 fee per truck annually for
inspection by the Health Department. For the past seventeen years, he has tried to work with the City
of Wilmington and New Hanover County to help him obtain 8,000 to 10,000 gallons of capacity to
treat septic sewage. He urged the District Board to address this issue so he can go back into
business.
Ms. Bessie Hearn, a resident of Castle Hayne, expressed concern for waste going into the
Cape Fear River. She reported her son almost died on his eleventh birthday after swimming in the
river. He stayed in Chapel Hill Hospital for a period of time with an acute infection as a result of
bacteria in the river. Her family owes $30,000 in medical bills because of this incident. When calling
Mr. Howell this summer about the problem, she was told that her son should not swim in the river,
which in her opinion, was not an acceptable answer. The Potter septic tank trucks are dumping septic
waste across the river in Pender County. With disposal of waste into the river by NorthChase, hog
farms, and septic tank trucks in Pender County, the bacteria will continue to increase. She urged the
District Board to keep other companies from dumping waste into the Cape Fear River.
Mr. John Feeley, representing the Cape Fear River Watch, advised the Watch group did not
have concern about the proposal presented by Pender County; however, there was concern for setting
a precedent. To allow surrounding counties to request capacity could have long-term repercussions
on future needs. He requested the District Board to consider this factor when deciding on the
request.
Mr. Thomas A. Radewicz, a member of the Castle Hayne Steering Committee, reported the
citizens of Castle Hayne had been faced with the problem of sewage coming into Castle Hayne from
other places for the past ten years. The residents have been required to hire lawyers to ensure the
NorthChase sewer discharge would be removed from the Cape Fear River. For the past twenty years,
the taxpayers in Castle Hayne have paid for sewer bonds that were voter approved to provide a
county-wide sewer system. As of this date, not one inch of sewer line has been placed in Castle
Hayne. If the request from Pender County is approved, the Castle Hayne Steering Committee would
like to be represented on the planning organization for management of the Pender County/Del Labs
pipe line. The District Board was requested to consider the people in Castle Hayne when rendering
a decision on the sewer capacity request.
Mr. Jim Bordeaux, a member of the Castle Hayne Steering Committee, requested the District
Board to defer action so further study could be made on the issue. He expressed concern for
placement of a pumping station near the Cape Fear River which will probably create an
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 5, 1998PAGE 409
offensive odor and devalue property in that area. The District Board was requested to avoid allowing
this interceptor to become an industrial interceptor that will run through Castle Hayne without
allowing the residents of Castle Hayne to connect to the sewer system. The needs of Castle Hayne
should be met before providing service to Pender County or any other county.
Mr. James Garner, a resident of Castle Hayne, stated Potter septic tank trucks are seen daily
carrying septic sewage and dumping on wetlands in Pender County approximately 200 to 300 feet
from the Cape Fear River. New Hanover County is paying seven cents per gallon for the septic
sewage to be carried to Pender County. Pictures were presented showing children swimming in the
Cape Fear River within 100 feet from the discharge site. The District Board was requested to address
the sewer needs in New Hanover County to protect the river from waste before providing sewer to
Pender County.
District Commissioner Caster commented on regional issues and stressed the importance of
Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties working together to address the impact of discharge
on persons living downstream. He stated approval of this request will eliminate the NorthChase
discharge into the Cape Fear River as well as enhance the economy for both counties.
County Manager O’Neal offered to meet with Mrs. Hearn to explain the purpose and aspects
of the project. He stated it was important for everyone to understand that New Hanover County
property taxes are not used to support the Sewer System. The system is supported by user fees and
the sales tax.
District Commissioner Birzenieks expressed appreciation to the citizens for expressing their
concerns, which do merit attention; however, these issues are peripheral to the economic and
environmental benefits that can be received from approving the request.
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster
to adopt the resolution to accept 50,000 gallons per day of wastewater from Pender County. Upon
vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
A copy of the resolution is hereby incorporated as a part of the minutes and is contained in
W&S Exhibit Book II, Page 22.
Vice-Chairman Howell turned the meeting over to Chairman Greer.
DISCUSSION OF SEPTIC TANK FAILURES ON GORDON ROAD
District Commissioner Caster reported on receiving a call from Mr. Thomas Jones, a resident
of Gordon Road, who was experiencing septic tank failure. After discussing the matter with the
Environmental Division of the Health Department, Mr. Jones was informed the cost for correcting
the problem would be from $3,000 to $5,000. District Commissioner Caster asked if any financial
assistance or grants were available to help Mr. Jones with the projected cost?
NEW HANOVER COUNTY WATER AND SEWER DISTRICTBOOK II
REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 5, 1998PAGE 410
County Engineer Blanchard responded that no grants were available; however, he would be
glad to check into the matter.
Motion:
District Commissioner Birzenieks MOVED, SECONDED by District Commissioner Caster
to adjourn. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
Chairman Greer adjourned the meeting at 11:36 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Lucie F. Harrell
Clerk to the District Board