Respectfully submitted to the:

Honorable George E. Pataki
Governor of the State of New York

Honorable Carl H. McCall
Comptroller of the State of New York

Honorable Joel A. Giambra
County Executive of Erie County

Honorable Albert DeBenedetti
Chairman, Erie County Legislature

Honorable Ronald B. Stafford
Chairman, Senate Finance Committee

Honorable Herman D. Farrell
Chairman, Assembly Ways and Means Committee

Honorable Members of the New York State Legislature

Honorable Members of the Erie County Legislature

The Erie County Water Authority is an independent, public benefit corporation created in 1949 by a special act of the New York State Legislature known as Title III Article V of the Public Authorities Law.

The Authority is not an agency of New York State and is totally independent of Erie County government. It operates as a self-sustaining business enterprise and pays all operating expenses out of revenues generated from the sale of safe, clean water to its customers. All revenues received must be used for operating expenses, capital improvements and paying outstanding debts.

The Authority has been operating for 48 years solely for the benefit of our customers that rely on our product everyday, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

It is in celebration of the Authority's successful efforts in producing and reliably delivering high quality, affordable water throughout Western New York, and our contributions to the quality of life in the region, that the Board of Commissioners submits the 48th Annual Report of the Erie County Water Authority.

Board of Commissioners: Robert J. Lichtenthal Jr., Mark G. Patton, Acea Mosey-Pawlowski - (from left to right)