ERIE COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY CONTINUES WATER SERVICE LINE INVESTIGATION WORK ACROSS SERVICE TERRITORY

Water service line investigation work will begin in July in the Town of Amherst, Town of Aurora, Town of Boston, Town of Clarence, Town of Eden, Town of Evans, Town of Newstead, Town of Orchard Park, and Town of West Seneca.

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.

“The Get the Lead Out initiative is being implemented proactively and aggressively, not just to comply with federal regulations, but as part of our broader mission to provide safe, high-quality, and affordable drinking water through reliable infrastructure,” said Jerome D. Schad, Chairman, Erie County Water Authority Board of Commissioners.

Using vacuum excavation, the ECWA is identifying 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.

If a lead service line is identified during the investigation, customers are provided with literature on the best practices for limiting their exposure to lead in drinking water.

Service lines that are identified as lead will be replaced in a future contract from the existing water line in the street to the curb box and/or replace the service line from the curb box to the existing meter inside the home or business. If service line replacement is required, ECWA will replace the water service line at no cost to the homeowner.

Please visit www.ECWA.org to learn more about ECWA’s Get the Lead Out Program.