Jim Thorpe Borough Council discussed the issue of lead water lines along the Center Avenue water main project.

“Borough Council is going to need to make a decision on how they want to move forward with any lead service lines that may be encountered during the project,” borough manager Maureen Sterner advised council. “Does council want to encourage the residents to replace the lines at the time of the project when they are found, or do they want to require the residents to replace the lead lines? If so, who is going to pay for it? Would the borough set something up for the residents to reimburse the borough and we have the contractors do it?”

The service lines connect the water main to each home or business.

According to Water Department supervisor Dwayne Sterner, there are definitely lead lines along Center Avenue, but also in other parts of the borough, such as South Street and Center Street on the east side.

Sterner said if a home with lead service lines is encountered, “we are required to supply that homeowner with a six month water filtration pitcher (like Brita). As for other requirements, we are waiting for EPA or DEP to finalize the rule regarding homeowners replacing the lines.”

The borough is focusing on the Center Avenue project area, but other homeowners in the borough may want to or need to replace lines as well.

The borough has already arranged some funding through PennVest, $200,000, for this where homeowners could get low or no interest loans on a first come, first serve basis.

For property owners who fall into the low-income bracket, there are options through PennVest or the USDA to get grants on their own. Information is available in the office if anyone is interested.

“It’s in the homeowner’s interest while the contractor is in there because he’s already mobilized and he can do the work,” Councilman Mike Yeastedt added.