Lead Line Grant Project
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.
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.
Project Area Maps
The Project Area is within the City of Erie. To help illustrate the specific areas where work will occur, the following hyperlinks to four (4) project area maps are being provided below. Each link contains a general overview map along with more detailed close-ups maps on each page thereafter. Once the applicable street name and address are found, customers can zoom in to determine if their water service connection is impacted. The impacted service lines will appear as shown below.
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Project Area A: West Bayfront Pkwy to West 11th St. btwn Weschler Ave & Plum St.
Project Area A Maps -
Project Area B: West Bayfront Pkwy to West 11th St. btwn Plum St. & Sassafras St.
Project Area B Maps -
Project Area C: West Bayfront Pkwy to East 10th St. btwn Sassafras St. & Wayne St.
Project Area C Maps -
Project Area D: Various inactive service line abandonments throughout the City of Erie as illustrated on the Project Area D Maps. With the exception of any emergency repairs, abandonments are not expected to impact water service to individual customers.
Project Area D Maps
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.
Customer Information
The links below include a Letter to Customers providing information about the project and answers to some of the most Frequently Asked Questions. Customers and property owners may have questions that are not addressed by these documents, and as such, we encourage you to reach out to EWW representatives as identified in the Contact Us section below.
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.
Additional Information
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This document answers many questions specific to health risks associated with lead exposure.
FAQs about Lead -
This helpful graphic shows where lead could be located within a building or home.
Lead and your Water -
This pamphlet provides general information about lead in plumbing and how to identify whether you have lead inside your home or business.
Lead: Keep your Water Safe -
This document provides the names and contacts for 2022 City of Erie Licensed Plumbing Professionals. A licensed plumber must be hired by the customer to replace the privately owned line IF the existing service owned by the customer is in a condition that prevents reconnection from occurring. More information regarding the inability to reconnect can be found here.
City of Erie Licensed Plumbing Professionals
Flushing Information
The following information is provided to help customers understand the best practices to flush inside plumbing after the new water service connections are installed and joined to the customers’ existing water service lines.