Erie Water Works has reached a major milestone in its effort to eliminate lead from the region’s drinking water system, surpassing $100 million in funding from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) since 2021.
The achievement comes after the Shapiro Administration announced a new $10 million grant that will help replace 1,250 customer service lines in the City of Erie. The lines were previously connected to lead goosenecks and must be replaced under federal regulations.
With the latest award, Erie Water Works has now secured a total of $100.6 million in PENNVEST funding, including more than $81.7 million in grants and nearly $18.9 million in low-interest loans.
“This latest $10 million grant provides critical resources to accelerate our lead replacement efforts, meet federal requirements ahead of schedule, and most importantly, further safeguard public health,” said Craig Palmer, CEO of Erie Water Works.
Palmer noted that the large amount of grant funding has been essential to the project’s success, allowing the utility to make major infrastructure improvements while limiting the impact on customer water rates.
The new grant is part of a broader $190.3 million investment supporting 24 drinking water, wastewater, and infrastructure projects across 19 Pennsylvania counties.
Since launching its “Get The Lead Out” initiative in 2021, Erie Water Works has submitted 11 applications for PENNVEST funding aimed at removing lead-related infrastructure from its system. Officials emphasized that the utility already maintains a corrosion control treatment program that complies with the EPA’s Lead and Copper Rule, and testing results have consistently remained well below federal limits.
Even so, utility leaders say eliminating all potential sources of lead remains the best way to protect public health and ensure the long-term safety of the region’s drinking water supply.