AUBURN – Water District trustees Wednesday discussed upgrading an unlined cast iron water main as part of this year’s capital improvements.

A Cook Street resident complained to the board in December and January that he was buying bottled drinking water and could not do laundry at home due to dirty water.

Superintendent Norm Lamie said he has researched the history of water quality complaints from Cook Street residents over a four-year period and complaints began in late 2003. He said it could be related to repairs to a broken water service at another Cook Street residence last summer where the main had to be temporarily shut down. Lamie said if another valve is closed, that could be the cause of the problem.

Trustees viewed an updated list of proposed improvements to the water system. Lining of the main on Cook Street from Ninth to Bolster streets was added. The board will decide the fate of the projects in March or April.

Other improvements are proposed for Western Avenue, Miller Street, Washington Street, High Street, Pleasant Street, Main Street, Drummond Street, Seventh Street, Hampshire Street and a 24-inch main at the Little Androscoggin River crossing.