FM #588 - The DPW Water Series 07/15/21 - P1 of 3

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.

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Water Sewer Division - https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division

Water Smart program ->  https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/welcome-watersmart-program

Consumer Confidence Reports -> archive   = https://www.franklinma.gov/water-sewer-division/pages/consumer-confidence-reports

Consumer Confidence Report for 2020 us what we walked through during the conversation

https://www.franklinma.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif6896/f/pages/franklin_ma_ccr_2020_web_final.pdf

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The music for the intro and exit was provided by Michael Clark and the group "East of Shirley". The piece is titled "Ernesto, manana"  c. Michael Clark & Tintype Tunes, 2008 and used with their permission.

I hope you enjoy!

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