Frequently Asked Questions
Find quick answers about visiting, boating, camping, decals, gates, and other common Lake Waynoka questions.
General
What county is Lake Waynoka in?
Brown County.
What township is Lake Waynoka in?
Lake Waynoka is split between Franklin and Jackson Township.
How do I visit the lake to look at a house or vacant lot for sale?
If you have a real estate agent, they can arrange for access through the front gate. If you don’t yet have an agent you can contact the front office to arrange access through the front gate. Remember, the back gate is for members only with an RFID decal.
Does the lake have a list of available lots for sale?
No, we do not. We recommend using an agent or checking on real estate websites.
What types of homes are allowed to be built in the lake?
Single family homes, with a minimum of 1200 sq/ft on the ground floor. Mobile homes are not permitted but certain manufactured homes are. For a complete list of building requirements, see Rules and Regulations Vol II Zoning/Building Requirements. Copies are also available at the administration office.
If I buy a house mid year, do I have to pay annual dues?
New members pay an initiation fee the calendar year they purchase the property. Annual dues and fees will be billed the next January and will be due March 1st. Dues and fees are nontransferable, nonrefundable, or prorated.
Can anyone from outside the community rent an amenity, such as a dock or facility?
No. All facilities are for the enjoyment of our members and their guests.
Is the restaurant open to the public?
Yes, but you should contact the restaurant and have them leave you a pass at the front gate.
There is a red light on my electric box for my grinder pump. What does that mean?
If the red light on the electric box is on, it means your pump is not working properly. Please call the Gate House at 937-446-3214, and they will notify the on-call WRWSD employee, who will be dispatched to fix your grinder pump issue.
Backgate
Why are there two entrance gates at the back gate?
There are two reasons for the double gate. First, to stop people who don’t have passes from piggybacking in behind our members. Second, to keep unauthorized boats and campers from entering the lake without being checked by front gate personnel.
Boating
What is the overall lake average depth?
The overall lake average depth is 16 ft.
How deep is the ski/activities area on the lake?
The ski/activities area on the lake is an average of 7.5 ft deep.
Are non-members allowed to put watercraft on the water?
No. All watercraft must be in the name of a property owner in good standing to be used in our lake.
Are jet boats/jet skis allowed in the lake?
No, and there are no exceptions.
What is the max boat size permitted to be on the lake?
The max boat size permitted to be on the lake is 26 ft for pontoons, and 24 ft for ski boats.
Do I have to get a decal for all my watercraft?
All watercraft with ANY type of motor require a WPOA boat decal.
Camping
Is Lake Waynoka's Campground open to the public?
No.
Can I camp on my lot?
Camping is only permitted in the campground.
If I purchase a lot, can I store my camper and/or boat on my lot?
You can store your boat on your lot, but campers are not permitted on empty lots. Homeowners may store a camper at their house.
Vehicles
Traditional vehicle decal, RFID decal — what’s the difference?
A traditional vehicle decal can be provided to members in good standing for entrance through the guest lane at the front gate only if they do not wish to buy an RFID decal.
The RFID decal provides automatic gate entrance to the lake at both the front and back gates for members in good standing who wish to buy it.
My traditional vehicle decal won’t open the front or back RFID entrance gate. Why?
Those are automated electronic gates that are triggered to open by the RFID decal. All others must be verified in person at the front guest entrance.
Do I need an RFID vehicle decal in order to exit the lake from the back gate?
No. Our back gate exit gate will allow any vehicle to leave.
How do I renew my vehicle decal/RFID Decal?
That can be done in person with cash only at the front gate house. It can also be done in person or over the phone with cash or credit card at the administration office.
Regionalization of WRWSD Wastewater Processing
Who is responsible for both purchasing and maintaining grinders ‘outside of the gate’?
All collection system devices with the exception of the force main will be the responsibility of either Brown County or The Village of Russellville. WRWSD has no intention of installing or servicing any grinder pumps outside the boundaries of WRWSD.
What are the limits of WRWSD services provided ‘outside of the gate’?
Any lift stations or grinders hooked up are the sole responsibility of others.
Will wastewater rates be different outside of the gate?
The rates will be determined by the fact that we do not maintain the collection system. A determination will be made as to the cost of treatment as well. The idea overall would be that this is an all-inclusive Regional District, not as separate parts. We purpose a bulk rate per the gallon.
How do we determine what is the appropriate additional capacity build of the WRWSD wastewater plant expansion associated with ‘outside of the gate’ needs?
Right now we are planning on doubling our plant and then doubling their current capacity, 600,000 gallons per day.
Will a WRWSD commitment to accommodate ‘outside of the gate’ be linked to OEPA granting WRWSD permission for direct discharge?
Yes, absolutely.
Will ‘outside of the gate’ areas requiring WRWSD wastewater service be specifically defined?
The fact that we are providing only a force main results in “sewer available as an option” not mandated. If the County or Russellville provides a way to tap into their liftstations then it may be their responsibility to hook up. But that would not be our responsibility.
Should WRWSD commit to accommodate ‘outside of the gate’ needs, can we do within presently owned WRWSD land?
Yes, no land would need to be purchased.
Will picking up ‘outside of the gate’ wastewater cause the WRWSD to increase our present # of employees? If so, by how many employees?
It is not currently anticipated that additional employees would be needed. But it is possible that one additional could be.
What is the estimated additional one-time design-build cost for accommodating the ‘outside of the gate’ wastewater needs?
It is estimated to be about $10 - $12M. (a large part to be grants and principal forgiveness. The entire cost for the Russellville connection, however, will solely be with Russellville. Russellville will also share the cost of the treatment plant expansion by way of a connection fee. The percentage has yet to be determined.
Will WRWSD be permitted to limit service if our available capacity for ‘outside of the gate’ is reached?
Yes, we could limit additional hook ups if capacity is reached. However, the concept is to design-build a plant with the ability to easily expand.
Will this Regionalization add time to our wastewater plant expansion?
This will cut the anticipated time by about 40% to completion because of the limited time Russellville has to complete the hookup.
How will we enforce WRWSD Rules & Regulations ‘outside of the gate’?
They would be enforced the same way we do now. Our rules would apply to all customers.
Will ‘outside of the gate’ customers be eligible to attend WRWSD meetings and hold board positions?
No.
How much transparency will be available to ‘outside of the gate’ customers(meeting minutes, financials, trustee contact details like email, phone numbers, etc)?
All customers should have the same access as current customers.
How do we collect from ‘outside of the gate’ customers if/when they don’t pay?
Russellville has to chase down the non-payment. We will be paid by Russellville, regardless.
Will ‘outside of the gate’ customers be allowed to utilize Lake Waynoka amenities and events?
No, customers outside the gate do not have the same benefits as WPOA residents.
Can Lake Waynoka utilize this “regionalization” to gain leverage in Eagle and Jackson Township for better road maintenance outside the back gate?
No, there is no connection between townships and WRWSD for increased road maintenance. Road work would be on the WPOA side.
Will we need a bigger sewage plant?
Yes, we currently need a larger plant even without an agreement with Russellville. By regionalizing, we open ourselves up to more grant opportunities, i.e. free $, which will lessen the financial impact of the plant upgrades on Lake residents. It will also be beneficial to Russelville as they would not have to shoulder the cost of rebuilding their current outdated treatment plant.
Will it take up more land?
Not at all.
How will this affect our lake water?
Not at all.
Will it require more employees to manage it?
0-1 has been mentioned.
Will we need more people in the front office to handle this billing?
No, the Village of Russelville would be our only additional customer. We would Master Meter all flow coming from Russelville at one location. They would be billed accordingly. Russelville would continue to bill their connected customers individually.
Do we have a current billing system that will handle outside billing?
This would only add one billed customer to our current billing system (Russelville). We will not be sending monthly bills to Russelville customers – The Village of Russelville will continue to do that.
Will this raise our fees to pay for more employees benefits?
Unlikely as minimal, if any staff would be added. Fees, rates and/or assessments may increase as needed to fund the treatment plant upgrades that would not be covered by grant money. The end result should be less loans and more grant money, which will benefit both communities.