Treated Water Could Save Tennessee Yards, Landscaping

The city of Franklin, Tenn., has made a new water source available to residents who want to water their lawns and landscaping.

For nearly two weeks, the city has been under strict water restrictions.

Now, residents are learning that they can get all of the water they need from purple fire hydrants around the city, absolutely free.

The water in the purple hydrants is treated wastewater and part of the city's re-use water project that has been around for several years.

Normally, they charge a fee, but forced to ban residents from using city water for their yards, city officials are lifting the price tag in order to protect the city's drinking water.

Franklin City Administrator Jay Johnson said, “I think everybody knows we're in the middle of an extremely unusual drought period and while we understand their investment in their landscaping, our priority has to be drinking water for our citizens.”

Legends Golf Course has been buying the re-claimed water for years and Wednesday, it’s about the only spot in Franklin where you'll find green grass.

City officials stress resident cannot drink the water.

It is wastewater, treated with chemicals to make it safe enough for yards and trees.

To take advantage of the water, residents will need tohave a truck or something that will hold water, hook up the hose to the hydrant and turn on the valve.

Officials said residents will be getting all the water they need, possibly saving thousands of dollars in landscaping.

In Macon County, officials are also offering free treated wastewater to farmers who need water for their livestock.

Macon County is under a stage three water alert and the city of Lafayette’s water cannot be used for livestock.