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CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHT
CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS
TCAPWA Mark Miller Tennessee PW Project of the Year
Pigeon Forge Reuse System

The 2024 Mark Miller Tennessee Public sacrificing quality or safety. Additionally,
Works Project of the Year recognizes utilization of in-house labor enabled the
a project that epitomizes outstanding city to remain agile and responsive to the
planning, construction, and management. specific needs and challenges that arose
At last fall’s TCAPWA annual conference during the project.
in Chattanooga, the City of Pigeon Forge This hands-on approach was particularly
and LDA Engineering received this award beneficial, given the dynamic nature of
for the Pigeon Forge Reuse System. construction and site conditions, which
LDA Engixneering has proven often require prompt decisions to keep a
instrumental in advancing sustainable project on track.
water reuse infrastructure across the City Selecting Alternative Materials
of Pigeon Forge, including the evaluation Additionally, the city took a proactive
and feasibility assessment for supplying approach in selecting alternative materials
reuse water to large irrigation consumers. for the reuse water main installation, areas, and it highlights the importance of
Long Term Strategy: Enhance Water balancing cost-effectiveness with sustainable infrastructure development.
Management Practices durability. Equally important to the Minimizing Disruption to Existing Water
This initiative is vital to the city’s financial management of the project was Sources
long-term strategy of enhancing water the city’s strong emphasis on safety. Throughout this project, another city
management practices while reducing Throughout the installation process, priority was to minimize disruption to
reliance on potable water sources. By Pigeon Forge’s crews followed safety existing water services. As the reuse water
expanding the reuse water system to protocols to ensure that the work was main was being installed, city officials
supply large-scale irrigation consumers, conducted without incident. The focus on worked diligently to ensure that businesses
Pigeon Forge is setting a benchmark for safe working practices not only protected and key community facilities continued
how municipalities can address growing the workers on-site, but also minimized to receive uninterrupted water services.
water demands through innovative and risks to the surrounding community and By phasing construction activities and
environmentally-conscious approaches. environment. carefully coordinating work schedules,
LDA’s previous work on similar Sustainability Was a Core Driver the city was able to maintain service while
initiatives provided the foundation Sustainability was a core driver of this improving its water infrastructure.
needed to navigate these projects’ unique project, with significant environmental
challenges while ensuring the reuse water benefits resulting from the expanded reuse Economic Benefits Abound
system met both current and future water system. One of the most impactful Economic benefits complement
demands. A hydraulic assessment of the outcomes is the reduction of nitrogen the environmental advantages of the
future storage tank solutions ensured loading at the wastewater treatment plant. reuse system, creating a sustainable
that the tank could integrate seamlessly By diverting treated wastewater to the infrastructure solution that supports both
with the existing infrastructure, while reuse system for irrigation and other fiscal responsibility and environmental
maintaining adequate pressure and flow non-potable uses, the city significantly conservation.
under varying operational conditions. reduced the amount of nitrogen-rich The reuse water system also serves as
Use of Internal Crews and Equipment Key effluent being discharged into the local an educational tool for raising public
awareness about sustainable water
One of the standout elements of this river. This reduction helps improve water management practices. By demonstrating
project was the City of Pigeon Forge’s quality in the river, benefiting aquatic the practical benefits of reuse water, the
decision to install the reuse water lines ecosystems and contributing to broader city helps foster a culture of conservation
using its own resources. By utilizing environmental conservation goals. and responsibility within the community.
internal crews and equipment, the city Repurposing Treated Wastewater The City of Pigeon Forge has created a
had greater control over the installation By repurposing treated wastewater for reuse water system that will provide lasting
process, from timeline management to large-scale irrigation, the city reduces its benefits for both the community and
budget oversight. reliance on limited freshwater sources, the environment. These projects reflect
This decision also provided an thereby enhancing its ability to manage the city’s commitment to responsible
opportunity for the city to demonstrate future water shortages. This forward- infrastructure development, public benefit,
its capability to manage complex thinking approach reflects the city’s and sustainable growth, serving as a model
infrastructure projects in-house, which understanding of the growing pressures on for other communities seeking to build a
allowed for significant cost savings without water resources in both urban and rural more resilient future.

18 TPW January/February 2025