Developing land near the tourist destination of Gatlinburg (TN) can present many challenges, particularly in areas not served by municipal sewer. Due to its location in the Great Smokey Mountains the topography and soil of East Tennessee presents limitations in terms of wastewater treatment and disposal. To overcome these limitations many land developers are now turning to decentralized cluster systems to solve their wastewater problems and allow development to proceed.

Wild Briar Ridge
Wild Briar Ridge is a 70-lot residential development located outside of Gatlinburg in Pigeon Forge (TN). The developers of Wild Briar required technology that would provide wastewater treatment in an area that would be traditionally served by individual onsite septic systems. The problems presented by the location of the development included shallow soil over sloping bedrock and excessive slopes. The conditions would not support more than a few individual septic systems. A decentralized cluster system from Quanics, Inc., was the only solution that would allow the development to continue and reach its full potential.

The developers, working through their engineer, Scott Williams and IRM Utility, proposed a decentralized cluster system utilizing an AeroCell treatment system followed by drip irrigation for final treatment and disposal. The proposed system consisted of 24 AeroCell treatment modules located at the bottom of the development near the entrance. All the building lots are located upslope from the treatment cluster; they are tied to the treatment system via small diameter pressure sewers buried along the streets. After treatment through the AeroCell treatment cluster, the treated wastewater is pumped to six drip irrigation fields spread throughout the development in open green space.

The regulatory authority permitted the proposed system, and construction began in the summer of 2005. Upon completion, the decentralized cluster system became the responsibility of IRM Utility for operation and maintenance. Final start-up of the system occurred earlier this year. The complete system will now be maintained and serviced with each homeowner receiving a monthly sewer bill from IRM Utility that is equivalent to the fees charged by municipal sewer.

Sterling Springs
Sterling Springs is a residential cabin development by Sterling Webb of Sterling Springs Development, LLC near Sevierville (TN). Excessively steep slopes on the property were preventing the installation of individual onsite septic systems at each residence. These slopes would ultimately prevent any development from occurring on the property. To overcome the slope limitations the developers chose to install a decentralized cluster system to serve the entire development. Sterling Springs chose to develop the property in two phases.

Earlier this year the first half of the total required treatment system was installed to serve the first half of the development. The chosen AeroCell system is modular by design, which easily allows the system to be phased in over a period of time reducing initial costs to the developer. Later this year construction will begin on Phase 2 of the project. The Quanics, Inc. decentralized cluster system for Sterling Springs allowed the infrastructure to be phased in over a period of a year, while permitting the developers to beginning turning unusable land into a multi-million dollar project.

Emory Point
In 2002, development began on a 63-lot subdivision along the banks of the Watts Barr Lake in East Tennessee. Due to very poor soil conditions along the lake, the developers were faced with losing many of their most valuable lakefront properties. To overcome these site limitations the developers opted to install a decentralized cluster wastewater system that maximized their land usage while providing the future homeowners with a managed onsite system through a utility.

Construction of the system (from Quanics, Inc.) was completed in 2004 with all home sites utilizing a system that is installed in a four-acre green space within the development. Combining great products, great installation, and continued oversight through a utility, the residents of Emory Point will be assured years of trouble free service from their decentralized cluster system.

Summary
The decentralized cluster system is not a new concept – it has been around and in use for years. The acceptance of the concept and the recognition of the many benefits to developers is only the beginning.

Successfully introducing and initiating the concept into an area requires the full cooperation of all who seek to reap these benefits. Success is also dependent upon utilizing the experience of others, properly trained engineers, a willing and capable management entity, a proactive regulator, a trained installer, and sound technology with a proven track record of performance.

A properly planned approach to decentralized wastewater can turn what was once viewed as impossible into reality. SLDT