The Franklin News-Post
P. O. Box 250
310 Main Street, SW
Rocky Mount, Virginia 24151
540-483-5113
Fax: 540-483-8013
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Monday, October 19, 2009
By JOEL TURNER - Staff Writer
BOONES MILL -- Town officials are concerned that a water line construction project by Franklin County and the Western Virginia Water Authority could disrupt water service and fire protection in Boones Mill if the contractor breaks, cuts or damages one of the town's water lines.
TownﾠManager Lynn Frith has sent a letter to county Administrator Rick Huff and the project engineers saying that the town wants to work with the county and the authority.
But Frith said the contractor will be held responsible for any and all damages or repairs, or service disruptions in Boones Mill.
A 12-inch water line is being constructed along U.S. 220 from Clearbrook in Roanoke County to Plateau Plaza at Wirtz Road in Franklin County. The water line will serve customers in Franklin County.
Rocky Mount also hopes to connect to the water line as a backup water source.
Boones Mill officials have provided maps and other information to the engineers for the county and the authority on the location of the town's water and sewer lines.
But they are still concerned about damages to lines or disruption of water service as the contractor builds the 12-inch line through Boones Mill.
"In the event that you damage, cut or break a water line during your installation, many of the town's customers, as well as fire protection, can be affected," Frith wrote.
"Based on what's broken and the location, there are many parts of our water system that have no known nearby gate valves or shutoffs, and a leak could result in a disruption of service to many customers."
"Emergency breaks of damage must be reported to the town clerk or town manager immediately, and service must be restored as soon as possible," he added.
Boones Mill will try to assist the county and the authority as "we know this waterline expansion is important to the economic development and safety" of Franklin County citizens, Frith said.
When the Western Virginia Water Authority agreed to extend the water line along U.S. 220 to Wirtz Road in Franklin County, Boones Mill had planned to make a connection to the line. This would have been an additional backup water supply to the town's spring and wells.
However, Boones Mill dropped its plan to connect to the line after it received a $3.4 million federal grant to upgrade its water system.
The cost for connecting to the 12-inch water line would have been high, as much as $400,000, the town manager said.
Frith said the town also could have been required to begin costly testing of the water if it had connected to the line.
Mayor Flora said that the cost and other factors caused Boones Mill to change its plans. |
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