Continuing to find and share golden nuggets from the archives, we have this 3-part audio series on the water system covering all aspects from the well head to your faucet.
You can also find the 3-part series on the Town of Franklin page -> https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/news/franklin-matters-conversations-doug-martin-jake-standley
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FM #588 = This is the Franklin Matters radio show, number 588 in the series.
This session of the radio show shares my conversation with Doug Martin, Franklin’s Water and Sewer Superintendent and Jake Standly, the Assistant Water/Sewer Superintendent.
We had our conversation in the Franklin Public Radio studios on Hutchinson St. This is one of three in a series exploring the status and operations of the Franklin’s Water Dept.
Part 1 - approx. 30 minutes
A brief on Doug and Jake’s Franklin ‘story’
New treatment plant, now operational, treating Wells 3 and 6; Well 6 is really a well field (of six separate wells)
Difference between registration and permitted amount to draw
Overall well status and supply (well summary on water report)
Water conservation measures are a ‘forever’ thing right? (per the permit from DEP)
Town wells draw from 40-50 feet where most private wells can draw from a 300-500 foot depth; if you have a private well, please put out a sign if you use it for irrigation
Finances on water rate and sewer rate calculations, aside from private wells and septic systems, it is usage based billing
Fire Dept working very closely with them on hydrant maintenance and water pressure opportunity areas to work towards an increase in the ISO certification for the Fire department; hydrant signage being added to help especially when out communities respond to help
E-coli hit on well 2A, notification only discussed; test result was from the ‘raw’ side of the water, not the ‘treated side’ of the supply; “the ground is just a big old filter, and when you get 6-8 inches of rain the ground just can't handle it”
The process worked, the testing and system ensures good water is being delivered all the time
PFAS testing currently State funded; testing at parts per trillion, not million as with most other; PFAS is pervasive; Testers can’t use Teflon pans or Tupperware before taking test sample (to avoid contamination of the sample)
The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.
Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.
Audio File -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a7deabf6-08b9-41d8-820c-8bee1aa437db
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Part 2 - approx. 38 minutes
Permit process 20 years, midway through this one
Overall water usage per capita for Franklin is among the best in the state (~45-49gpp vs ~65gpp)
Unaccounted for water and meter standards, Franklin is a model community for this
Infiltration annual testing uses a “stethoscope for the road”
Town owns from the water main to the curb stop (water service shut off from street); Town also owns the meter
Meter read via radio today, may eventually get to an automatic send to a data collector; used to take 2 guys a month to read, now it takes one only a week to read the meters
WaterSmart system data based upon readings monthly; billing readings are monthly
Rebates available for high efficiency water use appliances
Annual Water report - highlights by section
Reference to working without the incredible asset of Dave Allard, now retired; 4 hours of a brain dump didn’t catch it all but he still answers the phone when they call
Key items explained, testing process, negligible results are shown for 20 or so items, another 100+ are tested with no findings, PFAS testing added per state DEP regs
Difference between water testing done by Town vs. Water bottles available in retail (FDA vs. DEP/EPA regulations)
Thanks to the 61 residents for participating in the lead and copper special testing required (lead goose necks)
WaterSmart website, Individual usage can be monitored, Leak detection service
The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.
Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.
Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/a148dcea-1db5-49f2-b11c-e302009de27f
Part 3 - approx. 28 minutes
Water treatment process flow on last page of “Consumer Confidence Report” CCR
CCR only shows what was found when tested
Programed with multiple fail safes, if deviation occurs outside of range, it shuts down
Safe in that it is also closed, no internet access to system controls
All of the water system is managed by four guys; Licenses required, continuing education required annually, training provided/supported by Town
Water enterprise account, Usage based services, quarterly billing per usage
Capital projects funded from ratepayers
Work to prepare for water and sewer line replacements as part of rebuilding the roads
Retained balance of $1M as a practice for “in case”
Increase reliability of SCADA system by switching to fiber from radio wave
Good to know; the water sewer world of infrastructure is a thing for consideration - job security and regular challenges; the industry is facing 60% of the workforce retiring in the next 10 years
The show notes include links to the Franklin Water Dept. page and other references.
Let’s listen to this part of my conversation with Doug and Jake and learn all about Franklin’s water supply.
Audio file -> https://player.captivate.fm/episode/3e921c80-30d7-4f9b-bd36-a8becc68be90
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| Town of Franklin: All about the water system, yes we have enough (audio) |
