Many of the water pipes running through Nevada City’s soil to its homes and businesses are poised for a much-needed upgrade. At Wednesday’s Nevada City Council meeting, city administrators reviewed a nearly $3.2 million grant for water system improvements, of which the city will receive more than $1.3 million and the rest would go to Washington and Placer County. “It should substantially improve our water system,” said Bill Falconi, the city engineer. The majority of the pipes that run through the heart of the city in its historic downtown are 163 years old, dating back to the mining era that …