By Stephen Smoot
For a long time, the Town of Franklin has worked to address the crumbling river crossing of the town water system. As workers looked to rectify the problem, complications interrupted water service.
The river crossing was found to be leaking 100 gallons of water per day for an unknown period of time. The town made repairing the leak a priority for its major water project. Contractors had attempted to bore under the South Branch River but hit hard rock that prevented successful completion. The line crosses south of town near the old Hanover building.
In a recent town council meeting, engineers revealed that the line had almost broken through the riverbed.
Frank Wehrle, town administrator, said of Friday, “The decision was made to make an open cut across the river.” Contractors commenced work on Labor Day Monday.
As work started the decades old water line under the river gave way. Wehrle explained that “when the line broke, we issued a conserve water notice.” The break of the line cut off the town from the plant, forcing customers to rely on reserves until the new line came into service. A boil water notice was also issued out of an abundance of caution.
Work finished on Sept. 2.
Wehrle explained that the situation differed from a normal water main break. In those situations, the town can identify an affected area very precisely. With the main line through the river out of service, this forced precautions onto most customers, even those with Pendleton Public Service District who receive water from Franklin’s plant.
Only when the town could confirm that the water was safe did they rescind the warnings.
Wehrle stated that the recent rains had helped to restore the natural sources of water, so the drought was not a part of service interruptions and warnings. He added that many customers assumed that they could not do anything with water under a boil notice. Water customers only have to boil water intended for drinking, cooking, and brushing teeth. Washing dishes and clothes, as well as showering, would not expose anyone to problems.
More importantly, many Town of Franklin residents and other water customers have not updated their telephone contact status with the town. The town issued telephone warnings that also spread on social media and via word of mouth.
Many customers, however, had switched from land lines to cell service or otherwise changed their numbers. Wehrle urged those who wish to get the alerts, but who did not receive them last week, to update their phone contact information with the town.
