EPA, Erie Water Works Celebrate Biden-Harris Administration Investment To Remove Lead From Drinking Water
Today, in Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott, Erie Mayor Joe Schember, and other officials celebrated federal funding and the water utility’s progress protecting its drinking water from lead.
According to the EPA, since 2021, Erie Water Works has received $49 million of federal funding to replace lead pipes in environmental justice areas of the City of Erie. The Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provided more than $42 million of this investment.
“The science is clear that there is no safe level of lead in drinking water, which is why the Biden-Harris Administration is providing historic investment through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to replace lead pipes that deliver drinking water to homes, schools, and businesses,” said EPA Acting Assistant Administrator for Water Bruno Pigott. “Here in northwest Pennsylvania, I’m excited to see Erie Water Works investing these funds to protect public health and benefit environmental justice communities while creating local jobs and economic opportunity in the process.”
Of the funding Erie Water Works has received since 2021, nearly $40 million has been provided as grants, helping reduce project costs as the community accelerates its lead removal efforts. While the city does not have any lead service lines, they do have lead “goosenecks” or short sections of pipe that need to be replaced. Between 2022 and 2027, Erie Water Works anticipates replacing over 7,200 lead goosenecks and any associated galvanized service lines. These efforts bolster the economy of northwest Pennsylvania by creating jobs. Thus far, all of the contractors who have assisted on this project are based locally in Erie County.
