Municipal Water Plant Superintendent Award | Bookkeeper of the Year | City Administrator of the Year | Manager of the Year | Conger Award | Municipal Wastewater Operator of the Year | Operator of the Year | City Clerk of the Year | Friend of Rural Water | Most Improved System | Silver Faucet Award

Most Improved Water System: Crawford Rural Water District 7

Left to Right, Bottom row: Cathy McDaniel, Veda Maxwell, Doris Morlock - Center row: Craig Stokes, Ray Hamblin - Top row: Jerry Wayman, Henry Ashbacher, Jim Rhuems.

The Kansas Rural Water Association (KRWA) has awarded its 2005 Most Improved Water System Award to Crawford County Rural Water District (RWD) 7. The presentation was made at the Association’s awards ceremony on Wednesday, March 29 during KRWA’s 39th Annual Conference and Exhibition held at the Century II Conference Center in Wichita.

The devastating tornado that struck Franklin, Kansas at 5:11 p.m. on May 4, 2003 was a challenge that most water systems will never encounter. Providing clean safe water to the unincorporated community of Franklin founded in 1907 had been originally the job of two separate water companies. In 1997 work began to consolidate the two companies and in 1999 the Crawford County rural Water District 7 incorporated.

The District recently replaced 26,400 feet of existing water main and overall maintains 53,000 feet of pipeline with a growth rate of 6% annually. In addition, the water district board is presently working on bringing sewer facilities to the community and a project to provide water service to three new residential developments.

Franklin residents were resolved to recover and pulled together to become stronger after the tornado. Improvements to the water system continued after tornado cleanup. Pipelines with inadequate pressure that were a constant source of leaks were replaced by new and larger pipes. Valves were installed to allow for easier maintenance and operational quality improved overall. Board Chairman Craig Stokes summed it up when he said, “Only through perseverance, patience and persistence has the water district been able to achieve its goals.”

In addition to the water project the spirit of the community was actually rebuilt. A Franklin Community Center and Franklin City Park exist today where there were none before. A new sign proudly welcomes people to Franklin as they pull off of highway 69. But one of the most prized accomplishments though, according to Veda Maxwell, bookkeeper for the RWD, is the recent addition of a new storm siren. The remarkable recovery for Franklin, Kansas speaks volumes for the dedication of the volunteers who have worked to save the town and its heritage. Crawford Rural Water District No. 7 is just one part of that effort.