What's New at Cacapon South!

SECTION 5 AT CACAPON SOUTH NOW OPEN!

MDG Companies of WV is proud to announce the opening of Section Five of Cacapon South. Recently judged "Best Development of the Year" by the West Virginia Homebuilder's Association, the new addition of exquisite homesites to Cacapon South has been greatly anticipated.

Section Five consists of 31 new homesites ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 acres, many with views of the Cacapon Mountain or overlooking Indian Run stream. Keeping with our proven record of meticulously planned development work, this new section features the same high quality of life with low West Virginia taxes; ten minutes from hospital; 30 minutes from Winchester Medical Center; paved roads; underground utilities; and year round accessibility. Sales have begun in earnest! Don't miss this great opportunity. Call or visit for more information!

CACAPON EAST CHALET WINS "BEST IN WEST VIRGINIA"

MDG Companies of WV offers warmest congratulation to Cowles and Sons Construction for its recent recognition as "Best in WestVirginia" for its chalet project at Cacapon East. The "Best of WV" Competition is a production of the Homebuilders Association of West Virginia. It is a competitive comparison of homes throughout the entire state of WV, in specific square footage categories.

Cowles and Sons won the prestigious award for their Nicole Chalet entered into the Class II category for homes 1300 to 1800 square feet.

The award-winning Nicole Chalet is located in Cacapon East Subdivision on the corner lot at the entrance to the Terrace. The home features just over 1700 square feet of finished living area with a large masonry and stone chimney, three bedrooms, large great room, vaulted ceilings, open kitchen, Anderson windows, and much more!

MDG Companies of WV and the property owners of Cacapon East and Cacapon South are fortunate to have one of the finest builders in the entire state serving our area. To learn more about Cowles and Sons Construction and its award-winning chalet, visit www.cowlesandsons.com.

GOOD NEWS FOR BUYERS IN MORGAN COUNTY!

The March 2005 Quad-State Business Journal analyzed the increase in area real estate prices fueled by low mortgage rates and astronomical increases in real estate costs in the metro area to our east. While many local residents have enjoyed a steady increase in their real estate investments as property values continue to rise, hope also remains for those still home shopping in Morgan County. According to the Quad-State Business Journal, "Morgan County has shown the slowest price increase for both five and one-year periods" as compared to neighboring Northern Virginia and Eastern Panhandle counties.

Real estate analysts expect the growth in property values to continue to climb in the area, and Morgan County remains a welcoming and, by comparison, still affordable destination for that perfect weekend retreat or permanent residence. Further, individuals owning real estate in developed communities have seen the greatest increase in their real estate value.

"We have seen many speculators, both professional and personal, taking great interest in the Cacapon South and Cacapon East," says Justin Cowles, Project Coordinator. "They have seen the tremendous increase in values nearby push the market and expect values in Morgan County to grow even more rapidly in the near future. Many are interested in purchasing multiple lots when Section Five is opened."

SECTION 5 UNDER CONSTRUCTION AT CACAPON SOUTH!

MDG Companies of WV is proud to announce the construction of Section Five of Cacapon South. Recently judged "Best Development of the Year" by the West Virginia Homebuilder's Association, the new addition of exquisite homesites to Cacapon South has been greatly anticipated.

Section Five will consist of 31 new homesites ranging from 0.8 to 2.5 acres, many with views of the Cacapon Mountain or overlooking Indian Run stream. "The lay of the land is absolutely beautiful! I expect this next section of Cacapon South to develop into the very best section yet," says Justin Cowles, Project Coordinator with MDG Companies.

Preliminary drawings of this new section are on display at the Information Center at Cacapon South and will soon be available on this website. Elaine Clark, Office Administrator for MDG Companies is creating a list of persons interested in the new homesites. "We are rapidly approaching a notification list with more names than homesites to be made available." All interested parties are encouraged to contact our office if they wish to be among the first notified when these gorgeous homesites are market ready. Keeping with our proven record of meticulously planned development work, this new section will feature the same high quality of life with low West Virginia taxes; ten minutes from hospital; 30 minutes from Winchester Medical Center; paved roads; underground utilities; and year round accessibility. Don't miss this great opportunity. Call today regarding the notification list!

PEDESTAL HOMES AT INDIAN RUN VILLAGE

MDG Companies of WV is proud to announce the opening of Indian Run Village at Cacapon South featuring gorgeous Pedestal Homes. The first in a series of thirteen is now complete with the new owner moving in soon. This first pedestal home was a turnkey project ready for occupancy.

The second pedestal home is now under construction. This larger model will feature much more open living space and a view overlooking the stream. Click here to learn more about the 1823 Vacation Home. This Pedestal Homes will soon be available as shells ready for your selection of interior finishes.

The special quality of these Pedestal Homes lies in the use of pre-engineered construction, a proven method that produces an excellent product with savings to the buyer. Built by hand, stick by stick, panel-by-panel, in a controlled environment allows for the highest level of craftsmanship.

Post & beam construction provides vaulted ceilings supported by solid Douglas fir timbers. The patented roof system produces an interior wood ceiling finish with R-30 insulation value. A lumber company in nearby Ohio supplies the panels and partitions and our building contractor will construct the Pedestal Home's interior partitions and complete exterior trim work to match the same quality of craftsmanship.

The exterior treatment will be vertical fir siding with cedar trim and includes a large window wall for enjoying the view from the great room. Pedestal Homes offer the perfect solution to building in environmentally sensitive areas. The small foundation means less site disturbance, less run-off and less erosion, thus preserving the natural beauty of the terrain near the gorgeous Indian Run stream. Click here to download a full-color brochure with floor plans describing the "elevated level of excellence" available at Indian Run Village.

NEW BUILDING RESOURCE CENTER AT INFORMATION CENTER!

MDG Companies of WV is proud to announce a new "Building Resource Center" at the Information Center. This resources center is available during regular office hours for property owners from Cacapon South and The Terrace at Cacapon East. Cochran's Lumber and Millwork provided a beautiful oak hutch which MDG stocked with resources related to most all aspects of residential construction including many product samples. Owners can browse the resources to familiarize themselves with building codes, materials and supplies, WV Contractor Licensing Law, innovative house plans, carpentry and building processes, construction forms and contracts, or our latest issues of Builder magazine and the Journal of Light Construction.

Justin Cowles, Project Coordinator with MDG Companies, is a licensed WV General Contractor and a certified Residential Building Inspector. He is available as a resource to property owners. All owners should schedule to meet with him to complete the "Request To Build" forms and to review the Architectural Guidelines prior to the start of construction.

EMERGENCY ACCESS FOR FIRE PROTECTION

MDG Companies of WV is working with the South Morgan Fire Company to install a lock box on the back gate to Cacapon South. By allowing the fire company easy access to the community from Creek Road, response time can be shortened. Moreover, this emergency access entrance will place Cacapon South within the "5 miles or less" category which may reduce costs for homeowner fire insurance.

CACAPON SOUTH'S SEWAGE DISPOSAL SYSTEM IS STATE-OF-THE-ART:

In 1997, the US Environmental Protection Agency made a strong endorsement of decentralized wastewater treatment systems as a rational option for meeting sewer needs and protecting water supplies. States, including West Virginia, have followed suit with such endorsements. According to Ed Winant of the National Environmental Service Center and former EPA officer, the number one barrier to the proliferation of decentralized wastewater treatment facilities is public misperception. Therefore, this short summary is intended to provide a current overview of the secondary wastewater treatment facility located within Cacapon South subdivision and clear up any misperceptions.

THE SYSTEM:

The system consists of a recirculating sand filter system and two (2) lift stations designed and fabricated by ASCHO-A-CORPORATION, and collection & distribution lines consisting of variable grade 4" diameter schedule 40 CPVC pipe that can services approximately 140 homes. However, the WV Dept. of Environmental Protection has issued to Cacapon South a Waste Load Allocation of 38,000 G.P.D. that permits up to 190 homes. The recirculation system, lines, and lift stations were installed by and under the direction of technicians from ASHCO-A-CORPORATION.

The operation of the system is simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly. All waste from the home travels through a 4" drain-waste pipe to the holding tank installed on each lot by the builder. This tank is a specially designed holding tank with an affluent filter that prevents cloth or other heavy materials from entering and damaging the systems pumps. A representative of MDG Companies inspects the tank and filter when the builder installs it. All solids are held in the tank where enzymes will break down most of the solids into affluent. The holding tanks on each lot are inspected annually after the first full year of operation. This inspection includes removing the filter for cleaning and checking for functionality. The level of solids within the tank is measured and recorded. If the level of solids measures above three and a half feet (3' 6"), it is required that the tank be pumped by a contractor at the expense of approximately $100.00 to the homeowner.

Most tanks will need to be pumped once every 5-10 years. The frequency of pumping will vary depending upon how successfully the solids in the tank breakdown. Flushing heavy material and/or using abundant amounts of harsh chemicals will cause solids to build more rapidly. It is not recommended that the tank be pumped when it is not necessary. Unnecessary and frequent pumping of the tank will remove naturally occurring enzymes that help breakdown solid waste in the tank. Neither is it recommended to add enzyme-based products such as Septicare® to speed the breakdown process. It is best to allow the naturally occurring enzymes to do their job.

The liquid affluent will pass through the filter installed in the holding tank and enter the distribution lines that feed to the sand filter system. Once the liquid affluent reaches the sand filter system, it is mixed with clear water diluting the affluent. This mix is then filtered and re-filtered through a periodic recirculation process. The affluent and water mix passes approximately 12 to 15 times through special, charcoal-like sand known as black beauty sand. This process removes any contaminants from the affluent mix making it clear water. Once the affluent is made clear water, this water is chlorinated to kill any germs or bacteria that may have survived the recirculation process. Before being discharged, the chlorinated water is dechlorinated to protect the stream. The discharge from the system is clear, clean water that significantly exceeds EPA criteria. Consequently, the recirculating sand filter system has received high accolades from the Fresh Water Institute, the National Environmental Services Center, and the Canaan Valley Institute. In fact, Paul Ashburn, President of Ashco-A-Corporation was one of the key note speakers at a West Virginia "sewage summit" held in October to address ways to approach better wastewater treatment.

Prior to installation and operation, the Cacapon South system designs and specifications were reviewed and approved by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, the Office of Water Resource Management, and the Office of Environmental Health Services. Permits were issued from each regulatory agency.

The Warm Springs Public Service District provides the personnel to operate and maintain the system including the quarterly tests for discharge monitoring that are reported to the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. Frequent inspections are also made by MDG staff for the purpose of visual inspection, cleaning cells of leaves and grasses, and checking and cleaning the sprinkler heads. Lift stations are checked at the same time. All pumps are equipped with both visual and audio alarms in the event of a failure of any pump or system. There are two (2) pumps working in tandum in each of the lift stations and four (4) pumps operate in the recirculation tanks. If a pump is disabled, the second pump takes over. A replacement pump can be placed in service within a matter of hours.

THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION:

Because the customer base of the Cacapon South Utility Association, Inc (CSUA, Inc) has grown to be more then 25, it was required by the Public Service Commission (PSC) to apply to the for a Certificate of Need and Necessity. Subsequent to such filing, Cacapon South has been visited on three (3) separate occasions by PSC engineers and utility analysts. Their observations have been consistent and are entirely favorable as to the quality of the system and the economic viability of the CSUA, Inc. In fact, Jim Weimer, Engineer for the PSC, has expressed interest in using Cacapon South as a showcase model of how subdivision can best address their wastewater needs.

MORE PRAISE FOR RECIRCULATING SAND FILTER SYSTEMS

The Fall 2003 issue of Small Flows Quarterly, a scholarly journal dedicated to helping America's small communities meet their wastewater needs, featured a scientific study that evaluated the capabilities of RSF systems. Quoting from the conclusion of the published study: "In summary, the RSF system provides a reliable and cost effective option for smaller wastewater systems... The stable operation conditions and low operation and maintenance requirements make it an excellent option for low flow applications... Additionally, the high quality effluent this treatment system can produce makes it an excellent candidate for water reuse/reclamation applications..." (emphasis added).