Again: Franklin DPW Deals with Rash of Main Breaks

Thursday morning, the Franklin DPW was again scrambling to fix another water main break, this one located along Pine St. from Beech St. to the Bellingham line including Sunken Meadow Road and Stanwood Drive.

Although there can be many reasons for water main breaks, including shifting soils and drought, DPW director, Robert Cantoreggi said he believes in Franklin the culprit is generally age.  "Almost all of the breaks have occurred at or near the connection of the main to individual homes," and in older mains, he noted.

'We just aren't replacing mains as often as we used to and this is one of the results,' he added.

Expect more of the same. An American Water Works Association study noted  an average break rate of approximately 11–12 breaks per 100 miles of main per year, although the rate varies widely depending on climate, pipe age, and material.

The town of Franklin operates and maintains about 170 miles of water main.