Franklin Water Utility reports main breaks, 20% system water loss and progress on Lowers Lane tower

At the meeting, Franklin Water Utility staff reported recent main breaks in the Coventry neighborhood, summarized findings from a vendor leak-detection survey, and updated the board on the Lowers Lane water tower and related water-main contracts.

Staff described a large overnight break on a 12-inch main near 80 Third in Coventry, adjacent to Ben Franklin School, that was discovered about 2:50 a.m. and was isolated by about 4:00 a.m.; crews later spent several days removing dirt and cleaning yards affected by the blowout. Staff said the 12-inch line showed a corrosion hole in ductile iron pipe and estimated the discharge in that event at about 75,000 (units not specified in the transcript). Staff also said an 8-inch main experienced a 90-degree fitting failure that required immediate attention.

The board heard a summary of a recent leak-detection contract: the vendor’s work this year cost roughly $75,000, covered ductile-iron pipe and identified areas for repair. Staff said the systemwide apparent water loss has risen since 2016: the transcript records about 16% in 2016 and “over 20%” at present. Board members and staff described that level of loss as high; one staff speaker said many peer systems run substantially lower loss rates and that the Public Service Commission (PSC) will likely raise the issue if losses remain elevated.

As a near-term step, staff recommended more-frequent or targeted leak detection in known “hot spots.” The transcript records a staff suggestion to budget approximately $25,000 for follow-up work targeted to troubled pockets identified by the vendor. Staff also said the utility will resume hydrodynamic flushing in April and continue meter-reading and documentation efforts intended to better quantify losses.

On capital projects, staff reported that Contract C for the Lowers Lane water-main extension will begin March 31 with tree clearing; the contractor expects to complete the final segment in two to three weeks because there are no new service connections to install. Work on coatings for the Lowers Lane water tower may move forward depending on weather and contractor mobilization; staff said the tower design includes the city logo.

Other project updates from staff included that the public-works campus water-main work is in service following a second shutdown and that crews have been progressing on the West Saint Martin’s Road main (staff estimated main-line completion within days, with laterals to follow). Staff said system inventory is roughly 90 miles of mains (transcript: “about a 90 miles”), and repeated that they will present additional meter reads before budget decisions later in the year.

Board members asked procedural and timing questions about follow-up detection, budgeting and the timing of any PSC review. Staff said the leak-detection vendor recommends annual checks but that until the utility sees a turnaround in losses the board should consider more frequent, targeted efforts.

The discussion closed with staff saying they will return with updated meter reads and that the board will consider funding options during the upcoming budget cycle (staff referenced presentations in September and finalized budget timing in November).