Jim Thorpe Borough took the first step Thursday night toward replacing 100-year-old water mains and lateral pipes along four of its roadways.

Council approved a request for Entech Engineering, based out of Pottsville, to provide work orders for complete project design and cost estimates.

“These are the last remaining mains in the borough that have not been replaced,” Councilman Jay Miller said. “They are old and decrepit and it’s been on my mind a lot recently. I think it’s time to start the investigative process of what the replacement will look like.”

Miller said the areas where main and lateral replacement are necessary are along Center Street, from Front to 13th Street; South Street, from the Germantown plant to Front Street; Front Street, from Center to South Street; and Center Avenue, from the 400 block to the Spring Street tank.

The new pipes, he added, would be made of ductile iron.

“This will go a long way in helping us with the elimination of lead laterals,” Miller said. “We are under an obligation to have a lead survey complete by October 2024. It’s going to be a big project, but a very necessary one for us.”

Miller was heavily involved as a councilman when Jim Thorpe replaced 4 miles of aging water line almost 20 years ago in a $6.7 million project.

Over 10,000 feet of 12-inch water pipe was installed on West Broadway and Broadway, and another 10,000 feet installed under North Street on the east side of town.

“I took the choke back then and I’ll take it now,” Miller said. “We really can’t wait to do this as long as we have.”

The 2005 project was funded through Pennvest loans and Community Development Block Grant money. While Miller said he has a number in mind of what the current-day replacement might cost, he wouldn’t say it in public since the work will ultimately have to be bid.

“I know one of our loans was just paid off and will free up $200,000 in next year’s budget,” Miller said. “That can be used on a long-term, probably 30-year, note.”

Councilwoman Jessica Crowley asked Miller what impact the current pipes are having on Jim Thorpe’s water supply.

“From time to time, we get dirty water situations,” Miller said. “It is rusty or discolored.”

Hawk Mountain Labs of Hazleton did recent testing along 10th Street, borough officials said, with results coming back favorably.

“I was happy about that because I’ve seen the pictures of the dirty water,” Miller said, “and it was very concerning to me.”