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A decade ago, the City of Franklin developed an Integrated Water Resources Plan (IWRP), a roadmap for the highest and best use of water resources in Franklin and our stewardship of the Harpeth River. Now, the City continues to move forward with the next steps for securing local water supplies for the future.

As part of the Southeast Wastewater Capacity Evaluation, a water purification demonstration facility came online in Fall 2022 to test and monitor advanced technologies including membrane filtration, ozonation, biofiltration, granular activated carbon, and ultraviolet light with advanced oxidation. These proven, well-explored processes—currently utilized across the United States and around the world—are designed to work together to remove smaller and smaller physical, chemical, and microbial contaminants from the water until we are left with purified water, which is water that has been verified through monitoring to be safe for augmenting drinking water supplies.

Demonstrating the effectiveness of these technologies in treating the City of Franklin’s wastewater is vital to our planning efforts, as we identify the best strategy for managing the City’s steadily increasing wastewater production. More than 180 tests are conducted at the demonstration facility every week, and the City is also conducting other studies to identify options for beneficially reusing water.

The source water for the pilot is from the City’s existing reclaimed system, which is also utilized for irrigation in neighborhoods and commercial developments throughout the community. The City currently operates a water reclamation facility on Claude Yates Drive, which has been expanded and upgraded over the past several years. A potential new, full-scale Clean Water Facility in southeast Franklin would be an important addition to our water infrastructure.

Take a virtual tour!

What is Part of This Project?

• Water Purification Demonstration Facility - using advanced technologies to make the most of our water resources.  See the virtual tour!

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• Basin Studies – evaluate potential for various uses of water within our basin
• Alternatives Analysis – identify best uses of water supplies within our basin
• Permitting – preparing and submitting permit applications to Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation (TDEC)
• See brochure

Benefits

• Expand the use of reclaimed water for landscape and other irrigation
• Increase flows, enhance the ecological health, and expand recreational use of the Harpeth River
• Support the development of an expansive park on Water Management Department property, featuring an inclusive playground and many full-sized athletic fields, among other amenities
• Provide future educational opportunities for students to learn about the role water plays in our lives

FAQs

• Why do we need another water treatment facility?

The City of Franklin’s Integrated Water Resources Plan created more than a decade ago anticipated the need for additional water treatment capacity based on population growth. As we have seen in recent years, those projections have become reality. 

• Why are we exploring advanced water treatment technology? 

As the City plans for a new facility to meet the demand, it made good sense to explore advanced treatment technologies that can be more efficient, more sustainable, and more resilient than traditional treatment. 

• Why this location?

Much of Franklin’s growth—current and future—is centered on the I-65 corridor. Put simply, the southeast quadrant of our community is where the need exists. 

• Why as part of a park?

The 200-acre parcel that will become the Southeast Park campus was acquired years ago with today’s water needs in mind. In other words, the Clean Water Facility is making the park possible—including Franklin’s first inclusive playground, Ellie G’s Dream World, and incredible infrastructure for a range of organized sports and recreational opportunities.

• What are the additional benefits?

Advanced treatment yields purified water. Using reclaimed water as the source, we would have volumes of clean water to recharge our reservoir, improve the health of and increase recreational opportunities on the Harpeth River, and lessen our dependence on outside sources of water to serve our Franklin’s needs as we move into the future. 

•  What are the next steps?

Once the research is completed at the Demonstration Facility this summer, the City of Franklin and Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation will evaluate the data and determine the best course of action. Then Franklin’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen will make a determination on next steps in terms of design and construction of a new Clean Water Facility in southeast Franklin.