ECWA Begins Water Service Line Investigation Work in the Town of Hamburg

The Erie County Water Authority (ECWA) is starting the investigation of water service line materials of homes throughout the town of Hamburg. The work will begin on September 8 and continue through the Spring of 2026.  

This effort is part of ECWA’s Get the Lead Out Program, mandated by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The mandate requires ECWA and all public and private water utilities to identify service line material by 2037. The investigations are being done to label service lines as lead, copper, or galvanized steel.

Using vacuum excavation, the ECWA will identify the existing service line material on both the public and private sides of the water service line. Following excavation, any disturbed grass areas and hard surfaces will be restored by ECWA.

The work currently being performed is solely for identification purposes. Based on the information collected, ECWA will develop a strategy for future projects related to service line replacements if they are required. If a lead service line is identified during the current work, customers will be provided with literature on the best practices on how to limit their exposure to lead in drinking water.