Jim Thorpe Borough Council approved an application Thursday night for a statewide Local Share Account grant to support two upcoming water service upgrades.

The project, which is estimated to cost $689,680 according to Borough Manager Maureen Sterner, involves installing a generator at each water plant and replacing aging water meters for all residents. Additionally, the plan includes reprogramming the radio transmitters used to read these meters.

The need for meter replacements is pressing, borough officials said, as the current system is nearing the end of its useful life.

Sterner explained that the meters are about 13 years old, and by the time replacements occur, they will have been in service for 15 years.

“That is the normal life expectancy for them,” she said.

The replacements are expected to benefit the residents directly, as they will avoid the costs of replacing the meters on their own, which could range between $250 and $300 per household, Sterner added.

The council is also exploring vendor options for the meter replacements, with Sterner mentioning that LB Water, a vendor familiar with the town’s system, would likely handle the installations.

Also on Thursday, council approved $68,968 in matching funds for the LSA grant.

The municipality, Sterner said, likely won’t hear if its grant application is successful until late 2025.

“This would be a 2026 project,” she said.