East Deer will use federal grant money to replace an old waterline on Parsonage Street that supplies water to about 15 homes.

Jenna Miller lives on the street and has experienced water issues. She was happy to hear the news.

“I’m excited for them to replace it after all these years,” said Miller. “There have been a few times where we lose water for a full day sometimes. Not getting a shower in hot water is always the worst.”

The township plans to replace the existing 4-inch cast iron line that has broken several times with an 8-inch plastic pipe.

It will use $71,000 in Community Development Block Grant money to pay for the work.

“It would definitely provide more consistent service to the residents there because of the relatively high frequency of breaks,” Commissioners Chairman Tony Taliani said. “There hasn’t been one in a few years, but there have been several breaks on that line.”

Miller, 29, has lived on Parsonage Street for seven years. She said the waterline has been an ongoing problem that has gotten worse in the past three to four years.

“I’m happy it’s finally getting replaced,” she said.

Ron Gillette Inc. of Harrison is replacing the 500-foot line. Six companies bid on the project, with Gillette offering the lowest price. The commissioners awarded a contract of nearly $71,400 earlier this month.

Township Engineer Phil Herman hopes the project will start in October. It shouldn’t take more than 30 days to complete.

“We’ll replace all the way up to (property owners’) shut off valves,” Herman said.

In addition to replacing the waterline, the township is putting a fire hydrant on Parsonage Street, Herman said. There is no fire hydrant on the street now. Herman said the hydrant will not only provide adequate fire protection, it will allow the waterline to be flushed.

CDBG money usually covers a portion of a project’s cost, with municipalities responsible for paying a share.

Taliani said East Deer won’t have to pay its local share for this project because it was awarded additional money. Taliani said East Deer got that extra money because projects from other municipalities that also applied for the program came in under cost or didn’t qualify.

Herman said the township will still have to pay for engineering, design and administrative services because CDBG money doesn’t cover those costs.

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