Alternative Wastewater Treatment Systems: Systems, Location, and Site Character in Tennessee

"In densely populated urban and suburban areas, domestic and commercial wastewater service is provided via a central collection and treatment system.  In sparsely populated areas, centralized systems are cost prohibitive.  Developments removed from a centralized system must utilize an onsite treatment system.  Traditionally, individual septic tank and drain field systems have been the preferred onsite method.  However, land developers have increasingly turned to alternative onsite systems to service residential developments on the urban/rural fringe.  In Tennessee, development densities have been indirectly controlled by the type of wastewater service utilized.  To ensure public health and safety, area requirements to site a septic system on a lot have effectively prohibited high densities removed from centralized systems.  Alternative technologies, such as the sand filter, are being installed in areas that previously would not have permitted onsite sewage-based development.  This research seeks to identify the types of alternative systems utilized in Tennessee and their distribution.  A second objective is to determine soil conditions inherent in the physical setting of sites served by alternative systems.  Sites in select counties serve as case studies to indicate whether or not alternative systems are utilized because of the inability to site a conventional septic system due to soil constraints or other environmental limitations. " [Abstract from Conference Program and Book of Abstracts]

[Concurrent Session I-G: Water Quality]

[Presented at "Emerging Issues Along Urban/Rural Interfaces: Linking Science and Society", a conference held March 13-16, 2005 in Atlanta, GA (US)]