SEVIER CO., Tenn. (Story courtesy of WVLT) – Pigeon Forge sold more water last year than at any point in the city’s history, and city leaders say a $37 million infrastructure project is now underway to keep pace with continued growth.
The city sold 2.4 billion gallons of water in 2025, a 7.5% increase from the year before. City leaders say demand has been climbing as new hotels, cabins and attractions continue to open across Sevier County.
To address the increased demand, Pigeon Forge is partnering with Gatlinburg and Sevier County on a project at Douglas Lake. Construction is underway on new intake pumps and a 24-inch transmission line that will run approximately 13 miles from the lake to the Pigeon Forge Water Treatment Plant.
Assistant City Manager Eric Brackins said the project will significantly expand the city’s daily treatment capacity.
Brackins said the added capacity will also serve Gatlinburg and Sevier County. He added the city has already had to purchase water from outside utilities to meet peak demand, and that without the upgrade, shortages during the busiest seasons were a concern.
“If you don’t stay ahead of water and sewer, just the basic infrastructure that we provide as a city government, it would prevent you from growing into the future,” Brackins said. “Or certainly, we don’t ever want to be at a situation where we can’t provide water — a basic necessity that we provide as a local government.”
“Water is our — that’s our main defense,” Price said. “Everything inside the city, we reviewed the project all the way from the very beginning and we take into account how much water we would need for a fully involved structure as well as any exposures that would be created from that fire.”
Price said the city’s water supply accounts for 40% of the fire department’s protection class rating. The city currently holds a Class 2 rating.
“The better the rating, the lower the insurance premiums are across the board for all of our residents and businesses,” Price said.
The project is expected to be complete by 2028 or 2029.
Pigeon Forge launches $37M water project to meet record demand (WVLT)
