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STEWART: Bert, I have a question, and maybe Ike can answer. As opposed to using the
septic tanks, in other words, if you all are given the go-ahead to use the treatment plant
as opposed to the septic tank, would that increase the number of units that, will be put
out in that area?
It can't because we are already . The number of units is set and their location
is set. We have not modified that a bit. That is exactly the same layout. It has no
purpose whatsoever to increase density.
MILLS: Part of the PRD, maybe I'm using the wrong term, is very similar to
conditional use, is it. not?
WALSER: It is a special use permit.
MILLS: Okay, and this was approved with a specific number of units.
BECKHAM: That's right.
MILLS: And the question would really boil back to that in order to increase the
density they'd have to come back to the planning board and then come through the process
to change the density.
BECKHAM: I think so.
HEDRICK: A question might better be asked, Would you be allowed or eligible to put
the number of units you've had approved is you went with the septic system?
WALSER: I.,�an't answer that.
WEBER: The treatment facility will cost approximately $160,000 in excess of the
amount of nitrification field. And that's not . (not clear).
WALSER: So this isn't a money -saving . . . (not clear) type . . . (not clear.
WEBER: . (not clear) with that much sewage generated . (not clear) and I
think the problem certainly with the septic tanks way outweighs the problem with the
sewage treatment insofar as the environmental impact is concerned in that area.
BRYAN: I'd stipulate as far as I personally am concerned, I have no problem with the
waste treatment plant if they'd put it in the septic fields, but not in the lake.
WEBER: You'd have the wrong kind of effluent. You can't do it. Do you want me to
describe what I'm talking about.
I'm not versed well enough in (not clear) . to answer your question. That is,
all the technical aspects, but you have a different type of bacteria in a sewer treatment
plant than you do a septic tank; and what you have to do is to keep the bacteria in the
treatment in (not clear) . . One word they use in anerobic and the other is aerobic,
and the two will not work together. So you have to discharge the type bacteria that is
treating the sewage in your plant. There are no chemicals involved in treating sewage in
a sewage treatment plant other than chlorine. That's the only thing that's ever used. In
domestic sewage. Now you get into, if you've got industrial waste, that's a horse of
another color. I'm talking abut domestic sewage.
SLAUGHTER: Carroll, let me ask you . (not clear). Isn't it true that the
-- quality of the water is upgraded by the discharge of the sewer system?
WEBER: I would say certainly the state will not let us discharge into
the river a poorer quality of effluent than the water itself. Of course
Catawba River is carrying effluent from Hickory, Morganton, all'the towns up
above, is coming right down here (not clear) . The quality of tha* will
not be deterimental to the water that is already there. (not clear) . . . and
that's where the limitations, the amounts of the various chemical things, and
when we say chemicals that (not clear) like calcium and things like
that.
BRYAN: I don't think there's any argument about the cleanliness or the good quality
of the water that comes out of the waste treatment system. The problem is that it is
mechanical and over the life of the facility it is going to break down. That's the
problem, and when it breaks down you have a major problem discharging. But it becomes a
major problem; and if you stay with septic tanks and if you put each unit on a septic
tank, then if you have a problem, you have a smaller, individual problem. Now the type of