Service Connection Replacement Project 2022-2023 Background

The Erie Water Works (EWW) maintains an effective corrosion control treatment program in full compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead and Copper Rule. This treatment has kept EWW’s lead test results extremely low or far below allowable levels. However, EWW believes that eliminating all potential sources of lead is the best way to protect our customers. For more than 20 years, the EWW Distribution Department has been removing “lead goosenecks” from the water distribution system. During that time, over 4,000 have been removed as a result of EWW’s proactive infrastructure renewal efforts. EWW annually budgets about $1M+ in order to continue the work of this important program.

leadline-grant-project

Project Description

The Service Connection Replacement Project will replace or abandon and remove an additional 1,600 water service connections that have lead goosenecks in the EWW distribution system. In 2021, EWW applied for and was awarded $6.5 million dollars in federal grant money to be used specifically to replace water service connections that have “lead goosenecks”. Although no longer permitted, and not installed within EWW’s distribution system since the mid-1940’s, lead goosenecks are one to two feet sections of pipe that were used to connect wrought iron service lines to EWW’s older cast-iron water mains. Please refer to the graphic shown below which illustrates what a water service connection (publicly owned by EWW) and water service line (privately owned by the property owner) looks like.

erie water works public water service connection and customer's private water service line

Project Schedule

The Project Schedule is dynamic, though construction is expected to last up to 18 months with a mandatory shut down between December 2022 and February 2023. This is to allow for proper snow removal during the winter months and because asphalt restoration cannot occur when the asphalt plants are closed for the season.

Work Began in May 2022

Chivers Construction Company, Inc. (Chivers) of Fairview, PA, received contract awards for all three of the publicly advertised construction bids.

Upcoming Work Projected

EWW Project Representatives will be present to provide oversight and help facilitate communication with property owners and other project stakeholders. This schedule will be updated at the beginning of every month.

June 2023 (Past)

Chivers has completed work in the following areas:

Washington Place – 9th to 11th

Raspberry Street – 11th to 12th

Cascade Street – 11th to 12th

8th Street – Weschler to Plum

11th Street – Cranberry to Cascade

July 2023

Chivers is planning to complete work in the following areas:

Pittsburgh Avenue – South Shore to 8th

Colorado Drive – 4th to 6th

South Shore – Beverly to Shenley

South Shore – Cherokee to Frontier

Lincoln Avenue – Bayview to 9th

West 6th Seminole to Monaca

Weschler Avenue – 10th to 12th

Cranberry Street – 6th to 12th

Raspberry Street – 10th to 11th

Liberty Street – 10th to 12th

Poplar Street – 10th to 12th

West 9th Street – Weschler to Cranberry

West 10th Street – Weschler to Raspberry

West 11th Street – Cherry to Walnut

August 2023

The work schedule is currently being developed and will be updated soon.

Contact Us

EWW’s goal is to reply to you immediately if possible or within 1-2 business days if the response requires additional time, however if you need immediate assistance you may call us at 814.870.8000 ext. 280 with inquiries, otherwise you may email us by following the link below.

Register for Project Updates

To help Erie Water Works most effectively communicate important details during the project, please register and provide your preferred contact information at onthealert.com

EWW will utilize this system to call, email, or text relevant information as to when the work will impact you. Your contact information will be held in confidence and not shared with any other entity outside of EWW.