Franklin County is now a formal member of the Western Virginia Water Authority, according to the Roanoke Times.

Work on improving the authority-based infrastructure has already begun, including a new $2 million waterline. Hopefully this will help improve service to all homeowners in the area.

"Franklin County was voted in as a full-fledged member Thursday of the Western Virginia Water Authority by the governing bodies that already made up the regional utility.

The Roanoke City Council, the boards of supervisors of Roanoke and Franklin counties and the water authority board unanimously approved Franklin County's membership. The membership will become official upon approval by the State Corporation Commission. It's unclear when the SCC will take up the issue.

'It's a small step for the water authority but a leap in harnessing resources for Southwest Virginia,' said authority Chairman Fuzzy Minnix. 'We welcome Franklin County as our next-door neighbor, our cousins from just a little bit south of us.'

Thursday's vote formalizes the partnership between Franklin County and the water authority that has been ongoing for years."

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