WQ0004115_2005 Annual Report_20060218

Champion Hills Property 010vners Association
Year 2005 Wastewater System Annual Report
Applicable Permits: WQ0004115 & NCO087106
The Champion Hills Wastewater System is sanctioned by the North Carolina Department
of Environment and Natural Resources - Division of Water Quality (NCDENR DWQ) and
operates under Spray Irrigation System Permit WQ0004115 and National Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Permit NC0087106. These permits define the conditions under which the
Champion Hills' Property Owners Association (POA) must operate the system and expose the
POA to substantial fines if it does not comply.
In 1999, the State of North Carolina passed legislation requiring all entities that own or
operate wastewater treatment and collection systems to provide annual reports to their customers
describing the systems and summarizing their performance over the past twelve month period.
The purpose of this legislation is to provide a mechanism for user oversight and, hopefully, instill
confidence in their system and its operators. This report for calendar year 2005 has been prepared
in compliance with that legislation.
Description of System:
The Champion Hills' Wastewater System consists of three sub -systems: a Collection
System, a Treatment System and a Disposal System. The Collection and Treatment Systems are
owned and operated by the Champion Hills POA. The Spray Irrigation Disposal System is
owned and operated by the Champion Hills Club under a formal Agreement with the POA.
The Collection System consists of approximately. 62,500 linear feet of eight inch
diameter PVC sewer lines, approximately 465 manholes, 8 lift stations and miscellaneous items
such as controls, standby generators, force mains, telemetry, spare parts, etc. As its name implies,
the collection system collects the wastewater from the community and transports it to the
treatment plant for processing.
The Treatment System is located on a 2.86 acre plot adjacent to the 16'h fairway. It
consists of a treatment plant, two lift stations, a 700,000 gallon lined effluent holding pond, a
building housing various types of equipment & controls, and a standby generator. The operation
of this system is subcontracted to a state -licensed operator, James and James Environmental
Management. Under the terms of the permit, the operator must visit the facility daily (excluding
weekends and holidays) and properly manage and document daily operations, including all
testing, reporting and other permit requirements.
The treatment plant is the "heart" of the Treatment System. It has a current throughput
capacity of 70,000 gallons of wastewater per day, but is expandable to 140,000gpd. Raw sewage
(influent) enters the plant at the Equalization Basin through a 4 inch line from an influent lift
station. The Equalization Basin first serves as the primary settling tank where heavy solids fall
out and then parcels the flow uniformly into two 35,000 gpd process trains, each consisting of an
Aeration tank followed by a Clarifier. From the Clarifier, the partially processed sewage flows
through a Filter and finally to a Chlorination Basin. The treated water (effluent) leaves the
Chlorination Basin by gravity, flows through a dechlorination device, .and then to a lift station
where, during warmer months, is pumped to the 700,000, gallon membrane lined holding pond for

eventual use in irrigating the golf course and, during colder months, is discharged directly to a
nearby stream.
The warmer month Disposal System is essentially a portion of the golf course irrigation
system. During these months, effluent is pumped from the holding pond by the club's state trained
and licensed irrigation system operators and applied to the golf course through "selected"
sprinklers that don't permit runoff to nearby streams. The effluent irrigates the grass and then
either evaporates or filters through the soil before entering the ground water system and streams.
Most wastewater systems do not have the ability to perform this final filtering operation and,
consequently, must discharge directly to waterways. Champion Hills' residents can be proud of
this environmentally responsible way to use its effluent.
Unfortunately, the golf course application procedure does not work well during periods
of extended wet weather when the ground is already saturated or during cold spells when the
ground is frozen or covered with snow and/or ice. Recognizing the problems unique to our
mountainous location during winter months, the State has granted us permission to discharge
effluent to a nearby stream from November I' through Apri130th. Our effluent, of course, is
"treated household wastewater" and is of better quality than that which most municipalities and
cities release directly to streams and rivers on a year round basis. We are now hoping to extend
this direct discharge privilege to cover those days during summer months when the golf course is
already saturated from rainfall. Under such conditions, further irrigation with effluent is
detrimental to the golf course and tends to merely run off into streams anyway. A formal request
has been submitted to the State and approval is currently under consideration. We expect an
official response shortly.
As you know, Champion Hills is an environmentally sensitive community. Our residents
take great pride in the natural beauty of our surroundings and have charged the POA and Club
with the responsibility of protecting it. One of the less visible aspects of this effort is our first ,
class wastewater system. The developer provided us a good system. However, since taking it over
in 1996, the Champion Hills POA has spent considerable effort and money to improve it. This .
past year alone it spent over $125,000 on capital expenditures. This included a reinforced
concrete road to the plant, two new standby generators for remote lift stations and the installation
of additional sludge digesting capacity at the treatment plant. We believe this commitment to
providing and operating a first class system is the main reason the State is considering our request
to direct discharge during summer months when conditions necessitate.
Operating Problems and Permit Violations during 2005•
Operationally, 2005 was a relatively good year. Regrettably, however, we did have one
minor raw sewage spill and received three Notices of Violation (NOV's) of our Permits.
- The spill occurred on September 2e at Lift Station No. 5 near the Clubhouse. Each lift
station is equipped with two pumps. Generally, one pump is sufficient to run the station and the
second pump is only a back up or comes on when the station receives an unusually high flow. On
this occasion, we experienced an electrical malfunction that rendered both pumps and the alarm
system inoperable. The lift station filled to capacity and overflowed about 200 gallons of sewage
before it was discovered. No sewage reached a stream or drainage ditch. Within five minutes of
discovery, our management had the pumps running using a temporary fur and a contractor arrived
on site within five hours to make the permanent fix. The raw sewage was cleaned up and disposed
of properly and the State was promptly notified.

The first permit violation occurred on May 3d when the daily Fecal Coliform recorded in
our effluent reached 46 colonies/100ml while the maximum allowed by our permit is only 25. At
the time this occurred, the Plant Operator was trying to determine the optimum quantity of
chlorine to use to adequately kill the bacteria, without over chlorinating. Following this mishap,
the operator adjusted the chlorine. content until he reached an acceptable level. The monthly
average for Fecal Coliform did not exceed permit limits and no fine was imposed.
The other two violations would normally be considered a single violation but because it
straddled the end of one month and the beginning of another and was recorded in separate
monthly reports, it was submitted to us by the State as separate permit violations. In any event, it
was a serious infraction. It occurred over an eleven day period and exposed us to a potential
$2,500 fine.
June had been a very wet month in Henderson County, and we accumulated over
11 inches of rain. The largest daily amount occurred on June 27 (31/2,inches in just a few
hours). We received. another 3/a inch over the next couple of days. The permit violations
occurred between June 28 and July8th.
During this period we had large quantities of rain water enter the wastewater
system. It was quickly apparent we had a major breach somewhere in our twelve miles of
sewer lines. The treatment plant was unable to handle the additional flow. As soon as the
increased flow was discovered, we shut down the plant's aeration process to allow the
heavy solids in the water to settle in the tanks. The rest of the water, however, mixed with
the incoming sewage and flowed freely through the plant without further processing. We
then proceeded to walk the sewer lines, pulling manhole covers trying to locate the
source (or sources) of our problem. We did much of this in the rain when the chance of
finding the source was greatest. Our efforts eventually uncovered two major leaks.
Leak No.1 was near a manhole that had been covered by approximately six to
eight feet of mud during a mudslide from all the rain. The manhole was in a steep ravine
and difficult to reach, but we determined using our sewer camera that a sewer line
feeding into it had been severed at a location that allowed a natural spring to pour into the
system. A contractor with heavy equipment was brought in to make the repairs on
July 8th. The work included bulldozing access to the location, uncovering the manhole
and sewer line from all the mud and re -connecting the pipe. We also raised the manhole
three feet from its original location and- tried to stabilize the surrounding area to prevent
future mudslides.
Leak No. 2 was a broken seam where a sewer line attached to a manhole allowing .
ground water to infiltrate the system, This leak was not as significant as the first and
much easier to fix. The seam was sealed with leak -stop -concrete shortly after it was
discovered.
In addition to the forgoing leaks, we also experienced the normal Inflow
and Infiltration (W) that one would expect with a system of 465 manholes and 12 miles
of sewer -line during periods of heavy rain. Every year during the month of December, a
team of volunteers from the community walk the sewer -lines looking for potential

sources of I&I. Over the years, we have made considerable progress reducing its effect,
but torrential rain will always be a factor.
The following summarizes the permit violations that occurred during this period.
It should be noted that the State accepted our explanation as to what happened and our
reaction effort to solve it, and did not impose the fine.
Date
Tvge of Violation
Sample ReadinLy
Max. Allowed
6/28/05
Turbidity (Daily Max.)
23.8 NTU
10.0 NTU
6/29/05
Turbidity (Daily Max.)
30.5 NTU
10.0 NTU
6/29/04
Ammonia Nitrogen (Daily Max.)
17.7 mg/1
6.0 mg/1
6/30/05
Ammonia Nitrogen (Monthly Ave.)
11.5 mg/l
4.0 mg/l
6/30/05
Total Suspended Residue (Daily Max.)
30.0 nigh
10.0 mg/1
6/30/05
Total Suspended Residue(Month Ave.)
16.5 mg/1
5.0 mg/l
6/30/05
BOD(5) (Daily Max.)
56.9 mg/1
15.0 mg/l
6/30/05
BOD(5) (Monthly Ave.)
32.4 mg/1
10.0mg/1
6/30/05
Fecal Coliform (Daily Max.)
28,000 #/100m1
25.0 #/100ml
6/30/05
Fecal Coliform (Monthly Ave.)
167.3 #/100ml
14.0 4/100m1
7/l/05
Turbidity (Daily Max.)
25.0 NTU
10.0 NTU
7/2/05
Turbidity (Daily Max.)
27.0 NTU
10.0 NTU
7/3/05
Turbidity (Daily Max.)
15.0 NTU
10.0 NTU .
7/5/05
Turbidity (Daily Max.)
20.4 NTU
10.0 NTU
7/6/05
Turbidity (Daily Max.) :
11.7 NTU
10.0 NTU
7/8/05
Turbidity (Daily Max.)
35.7 NTU
10.0 NTU
We believe we have an excellent team between James & James running the treatment
plant and our own Andy Zima managing maintenance and making repairs. Although we
experienced a few problems and permit violations during the past year, all were acted upon
promptly by our team and no fines were imposed by the State. The Champion Hills' POA is
committed to preserving the natural beauty of the Champion Hills Community and wastewater
management is an important aspect of this effort. To this end, the POA Board of Directors has
always been very supportive of the recommendations and needs of this Committee.
Notification and Certification:
All Champion Hills' Property Owners and Club Members will be notified via the March issue of
the Champion Hills' monthly publication `Echoes" that this report is available through the
Champion Hulls Club Administration Office by either requesting a copy by e-mail, stopping at the
office to pick one up or by calling Jessica at [phone] to receive one by mail.
I certify that this report is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Any questions
pertaining to
it should be directed to me at the address or telephone number listed below.
Lee J Weber, Chairman
Champion Hills WWS Committee
4 Barnes Court
Hendersonville, NC 28739
[phone]
e-mail: leewebernbellsouth.net Issue Date: February 18, 2006

CHAMPION HILLS SEWER ORDINANCE
The Champion Hills Property Owners Association (POA) is responsible for the
Wastewater System serving the community. The overall system includes a Collection System
consisting of about 12 miles of sewer lines, 465 manholes and 8 lift stations; and.a Treatment
System consisting of a 70,000 GPD treatment plant, 2 lift stations and a 700,000 gal. effluent
holding pond. During warmer months, effluent (i.e.. treated wastewater) is disposed of by the
Champion Hills Club, which applies it to the golf course through the Club's sprinkler system.
The POA has a formal agreement with the Club requiring the Club to accept and apply the water.
During colder months, the POA has a permit to discharge effluent directlyto a local stream.
The POA charges a flat monthly fee per dwelling to use the system.. This residential
Usage Fee (currently $25.00 per month) is used to cover the system's annual operating costs. The
Usage Fee commences when a water meter is first installed at a dwelling *and is billed
continuously thereafter to the owner of record. In addition to the Usage Fee, the POA charges a
Capital Reserve Fee to cover equipment replacement and system improvements. This fee
(currently $7.50 per month) is payable by all property owners for each lot owned. Both fees are
payable in advance and are billed quarterly along with the POA Master Assessment.
In addition to the monthly Usage and Capital.Reserve fees indicated above, the POA
charges a one time sewer 'Tap -on" fee for each new dwelling, payable by the owner at the time a
construction permit is issued. This fee is currently $2,000, but can be changed at the discretion of
the POA Board. A portion of the fee ($1,500) is used to provide a reserve for possible future
treatment plant expansion and the remainder ($500) is added to the Capital Reserve to help defray
costs for pump damage caused by construction debris. The POA Board also has the authority to
impose additional assessments on all users or property owners to cover extraordinary operation
costs, facility expansion and/or system improvements if the reserves are not sufficient.
Property owners, through their contractors, are responsible for tying into the POA's sewer
system when constructing new houses. However, all such tie-ins must be coordinated with the
POA and performed by a contractor acceptable to the POA, Where practical, tie-ins are to be
made to stub ends already provided for that purpose. Any tie-in made directly to a sewer main or
manhole, rather than a stub end, must first be approved by the POA. All tie-ins must be inspected
by a POA representative prior to back filling. Such tie-ins not inspected may be subject to
uncovering for viewing and approving at owner/contractor's expense.
The POA's obligation for sewer maintenance commences at the connection where a
private line ties into the POA's 8" diameter sewer main, manhole or force -main. Private lines
(including private force -mains), clean -outs and private lift.stations are the responsibility of
residential property owners.
The POA reserves the right to temporarily cut off sewer services with or without notice in
the event of emergencies. The POA also reserves the right to access users' easements and/or
property, if necessary, to inspect, maintain or repair the sewer system. In such cases, property
owners will be notified in advance if circumstances permit. The POA shall not be liable for any
damage to the property of users unless the damage is due to the sole negligence of the POA.
-The sewer system is designed for domestic wastewater only. It is unlawful to tie drainage
systems, such as gutters, floor drains or stonn sewers into the wastewater system. It is also
02/09/06

IF
unlawful to dispose into the system, toxic, flammable, and other products harmful to the
environment or the wastewater treatment process, such as chemicals, paints, paint thinners,
solvents, oils, grease, antifreeze, petroleum products, etc. Violators may be reported to the
appropriate governmental authorities. Also, -it is harful to the system and violates POA
regulations to dispose of solid materials, such as diapers, feminine hygiene products, cleaning
rags, rubber gloves, plastic bags, or other such objects of plastic, glass, cloth, rubber, wood, stone
or metallic materials.
It is unlawful for any person to maliciously, willfully, or negligently break, damage,
destroy, uncover or tamper with any part or portion of the POA's sewage system. Any person
violating this provision may be subject to arrest and prosecution. It is the duty of all residents to
report such acts of which they become aware.
All new homes and other facilities with conveniences must be connected to the POA's
sewer system unless otherwise approved by the POA Board and then authorized by the
appropriate governmental authority. Homes and other facilities in the community currently
connected to septic systems may remain on such systems unless required by a governmental
agency to connect to the POA system. Should this occur or should the owner elect to tie-in to the
POA's system for any other reason, all costs associated with the tie-in, plus the "tap -on" fee, are
payable by the owner.
The POA's goal is to provide its members with a reliable, efficient and environmentally
responsible sewage service at reasonable cost, all within the confines of its Permits. To meet this
goal, the POA needs the help of its members in the following areas:
Under the conditions of the POA's Permits, all sewage spills must be corrected
immediately and recorded. Spills of a certain size and/or type must be reported to the
State. All spills are harmful to the environment and well being of the Community
and can expose the POA to substantial fines if not handled properly. Residents are
asked to immediately report any spill to the POA's Security force, Champion Hills'
Golf Course Superintendent, Champion Hills' General Manager or Maintenance
Manager, or any member of the Wastewater System Committee.
One of the largest and more difficult problems of any sewage collection system is
preventing storm run-off and/or ground water from infiltrating the system. Inflow
and Infiltration Q&I) not only consumes valuable Plant capacity, but under storm
conditions, may cause surges that upset the treatment process and/or result in spills;
both of which are harmful to the environment and expose the POA to fines for
violating its Permit. Residents noting such problems as broken risers, risers without
caps, open manholes, submerged manholes, shifted or damaged manholes, exposed
or damaged sewer mains, etc are asked to report them immediately.
The POA reserves the right to revise this Ordinance at any time. The Wastewater System
Committee is responsible for making the revisions and for making the revised document available
upon request, to all Property Owners through the Club's administrative office. The Fees indicated
here in, however, are subject to change by the POA's Board without necessitating a revision to
the Ordinance. °
The Wastewater System Committee
Champion Hills Property Owners Association
2 02/09/06