The ground in Bean Station
Bean Station grew up at an old crossroads below Clinch Mountain, where US 11W and US 25E meet today. When TVA built Cherokee Dam, the lake rose over the original town site, and the town moved up the slope.
That puts Bean Station between a mountain and a lake. Lots on the Clinch Mountain side are steep, with thin soil over shale and sandstone; lots toward the water sit on clay and limestone and slope toward the shore. Both make for drain fields that need care: pump the tank on time, keep water and heavy loads off the field, and don’t wait on the warning signs.
Permits and records
Grainger County is served by TDEC’s Division of Water Resources, Knoxville field office, for septic permits, repairs and records. On the lake, the shoreline is managed by TVA, which has its own approvals for work on or near the water.
Calls we get from Bean Station
- Lake houses and cabins on Cherokee Lake
- Homes on the Clinch Mountain slope with shallow, rocky soil
- Pump-outs before buying or selling a lake property
- Slow drains and backups after long wet spells
Bean Station septic questions
Questions from Bean Station.
Who permits septic systems in Grainger County?
TDEC’s Division of Water Resources, through its Knoxville field office. Grainger isn’t a contract county, so the state handles permits, repairs and records.
I’m buying a lake house near Bean Station. What should I check?
Ask when the tank was last pumped and get TDEC’s permit record for the lot. A pump-out with a look inside the tank before closing tells you its condition, and walking the drain field for wet spots or smells tells you how the field is doing.
Does a weekend cabin on Cherokee Lake still need pumping?
Yes, though usually less often than a full-time home. A busy summer of guests can load a small tank fast, so many owners pump every few years and before selling. Keep the lids secure while the cabin is empty.
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