AUBURN – A nearly century-old water main on Cook Street, which has produced dirty water since late last year, will be cleaned and relined this summer.

The Water District Board of Trustees voted unanimously Wednesday to approve the 2004 capital improvements, which include the addition of $29,000 for 825 feet of aging 6-inch main beneath Cook Street between Ninth and Bolster streets.

The project had been planned for 2005. But after complaints from Cook Street residents since December, the district moved the work to this year.

Superintendent Norm Lamie said that even though the project calls for cleaning and lining from Ninth to Bolster streets, the project may extend to either Seventh or Eighth streets. Lamie said earlier this year that the discolored water was caused by iron in the pipes. The capital improvement plan includes the addition of $10,000 for the lining of a section of water main on Forest Avenue.

Other projects are planned for Western Avenue, Miller Street, Washington Avenue, Pleasant Street, High Street, Drummond Street, Main Street, Summit Avenue and Seventh Street.

The total cost of the combined projects is $306,000. The district will borrow $229,000 from the State Revolving Loan Fund this year. Currently, there is $77,000 in the budget toward the projects.

In other business, the trustees approved an increase in jobbing rates from $21.50 to $27.50 per hour. Overtime rates will remain at $29.25. Jobbing rates are the rates the district charges customers for connections.

Several board members questioned the overtime rate as too low. Trustee K.C. Geiger said the overtime amount should be at least $32.50.

Board President Bruce Rioux said he agrees that the rate would be higher if it was for a private company, but the Water District is a public entity.

Trustee Catherine Thorpe questioned the rate saying that customers are forced to have the Water District make the connections.

The board approved the rates unanimously.