The Cocke County Welcome Center, located along Interstate 40 Westbound near mile marker 446, is a critical gateway for travelers entering Tennessee. Operated jointly by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the facility supports more than 750,000 visitors annually, with traffic volumes exceeding 23,000 vehicles per day in 2024. These numbers are expected to grow as Tennessee continues to expand its tourism economy and invest in visitor facilities statewide. The wastewater treatment system serving the Welcome Center was originally constructed in the late 1980s and rehabilitated in 2015. It consists of a septic and anaerobic tank system, equalization basin, and three constructed wetlands that discharge through a TrojanUV3000PTP disinfection unit to the Pigeon River. While the system has supported operations for decades, it now shows signs of age and capacity limitations: • High solids loading results in monthly septic tank pump-outs and recurring pump replacements. • Ammonia-nitrogen concentrations exceed 100 mg/L, far above regulatory thresholds and well beyond anticipated permit limits. • UV disinfection system deficiencies include a non-operational control panel, ballast issues, and potential leakage at the chamber. • Limited operational flexibility due to flooded valve boxes and inaccessible wetland flow controls.
