City of Franklin continues water improvements

FRANKLIN — Residents across Franklin may see construction crews and experience temporary changes in water service as the city continues a multiyear effort to rehabilitate its aging water system.
Contractors working with the City of Franklin began installing new water valves throughout the city on Sept. 22. The work is scheduled to continue through Oct. 9.
As crews move into different areas, residents may experience intermittent periods of lower water pressure or slight discoloration of their water. Construction vehicles, workers and heavy equipment may also be present in residential areas.
The city advises residents who notice discolored water to let their faucets run for a short period to flush their lines until the water runs clear.
The valve installation is part of a larger $2.4 million water distribution rehabilitation project that began with the first phase of improvements at the Franklin Water Plant in March 2025.
Phase 1 included the replacement of clarifiers, backwash pumps, media filters and turbidity meters, as well as cleaning of the plant’s raw-water catch basins.
The water plant is now in its second and final phase, according to city officials. The work is intended to address foundational components of a water system that is more than four decades old.
The city has also replaced a majority of Franklin’s fire hydrants as part of the broader infrastructure improvements. City officials say the hydrant replacements contributed to the Franklin Fire Department receiving the lowest fire rating in the city’s history.
Once the current water plant improvements are completed, city officials say the facility will be positioned to provide improved water quality for the community.
However, additional work remains beyond the plant itself.
The city has requested $3.3 million in State Capital Outlay funding to begin addressing the rehabilitation of Franklin’s aging water distribution lines. Some of those lines are approximately 100 years old and have contributed to ongoing water-related problems.
City officials acknowledge that replacing decades-old infrastructure will take time and will bring temporary inconveniences for residents.
The ongoing projects are intended to address long-standing infrastructure problems rather than continue relying on temporary repairs to an aging system.
Residents are being asked to remain patient as the work continues throughout the community.
City officials said the improvements represent a long-term investment in the reliability and quality of Franklin’s water system.