After decades of problems, residents in the area of Mary Lee and Lee Charles streets may be getting some relief.

The area has been plagued by water infiltration into the sewer system, causing backups in homes and other issues.

Dainae’ Prejean, city utilities director, told the Franklin City Council Tuesday that problems have been identified after months of study and are well on their way to being rectified.

Smoke testing lines, video surveys, interviews with residents, application of dyes to track water flow and personnel inspection has reviewed a multitude of issues.

Prejean said there were breaks in the lines, open drains and more in the overall system, which stretches past Plantation Teche Apartments.

Some manhole linings were badly deteriorated, she said, including plastic sleeves that had been installed in the past, root intrusion, debris and corrosion.

During heavy rains, the field behind the Lee Charles Street lift station flooded and flowed into the drainage system, she said.

Rags and diapers were also found in the system, Prejean said.

In response to the findings, the city began repairing and replacing manholes and covers, including lining them with a special product offered by a contractor, and installing water-proof seals on the covers to prevent rain from entering the system. Some manholes have been raised from their previous top-level.

There are other problems needing to be addressed, such as pipe joints out of alignment and actual cuts in lines opening the wastewater system to the drainage system. Tree root intrusion is frequent.

Work in that area is continuing, and Prejean said though there have been some rains since rehabilitation began, she is awaiting a significant rain event to truly judge the success of the improvements.