July 15, 2009
Erie, PA July 14, 2009 – The Erie Water Works marked Phase Two of the McKean Township and Borough Water Main Extension Project with a Ground Breaking Ceremony on Tuesday, July 14, 2009. In attendance was Erie Water Works CEO Paul Vojtek, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Regional Director Kelly Burch, Representative John Hornaman’s chief of staff Joy Greco, several members of the Erie Water Works Board of Directors and McKean Township and Borough Supervisors as well as representatives from General McLane School District.
The ceremony celebrated the regional water system expansion that has been made possible by an unprecedented investment of $5.4 million awarded to the Erie Water Works from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority (PENNVEST) and with the help of the Pennsylvania Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP).
The McKean Water Main Extension Project began as a two-phased extension of public water service by the installation of water mains in McKean Township and Borough. Phase One started in December of 2007 and was substantially completed by October of 2008. This phase added approximately 13,200 feet of 12-inch water main and approximately 8,720 feet of 8-inch water main.
Phase Two is now formally underway and the Erie Water Works expects completion by the end of September 2009 with final restoration to occur in the fall of 2009. Phase Two will include an additional 18,500 feet of 12-inch main and approximately 8,000 feet of 8-inch main.
Erie Water Works will bring a safe and reliable public water supply to McKean Township and Borough. By delivering water at a consistent quantity (volume) and pressure, the project will also allow new businesses to start and existing businesses to expand. The Erie Water Works has already received commitments from various companies stating that this expansion will allow them to create new jobs.
According to Erie Water Works CEO, Paul Vojtek, the number of open parcels zoned business or industrial in McKean Township displays a continued potential for growth now that the area will have a reliable source of water. The project will also bring a reliable public fire system to the area which has
relied heavily on pumper trucks to combat fires in the past.
Richard Wasielewski, Erie Water Works Chairman of the Board commented, “This is the most significant investment by the Commonwealth in my fifty years of involvement with the Erie Water Works.”
The Erie Water Works assumed operations of the Erie Water Systems in 1992. The Water Works Board is an independent organization whose goal is to rehabilitate the water system for the Erie region while providing service at an affordable cost. Working together to make a difference, Water Works employees stand by the community they work for and stand by our mission statement, “To guarantee a continuous, uninterrupted, reasonably priced supply of quality water to its customers which assures public health while promoting regional stability and future development.”