Along the shores of Lake Erie in Erie, Pennsylvania, a massive and complex system of pumps, pipes, reservoirs and treatment plants deliver one of life’s most essential resources: water. The driving force behind this system is Erie Water Works, an independent organization that is not only improving the quality and reliability of the region’s water supply, but also investing in the future through a more than $62 million capital budget in 2024 — its largest ever — marked by its historic lead line removal efforts and construction renewal projects. The Water Works’ five- year capital plan is valued at $225 million, which serves as a road map for the future.
At the helm of these initiatives are the nine- member Erie Water Works Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer Craig Palmer, P.E., MBA, who oversees the day-to-day operations and 106 employees. Palmer, who took over as CEO in January 2024, has been an integral part of the Water Works’ leadership team for nearly 20 years. He served as senior manager of Engineering Services and as a consulting engineer before being tapped for the Water Works’ top post.
“Our mission,” Palmer states, “is to deliver the highest quality water we can, at a reasonable price. Not only to drive economic development, but to keep rates as affordable as possible for our customers.”
Thanks to its location on the Great Lakes, the Erie region has access to an abundance of fresh water. Yet, ensuring this water is safe to drink and can reach approximately 64,000 direct residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers in the City of Erie, Harborcreek, Lawrence Park, Millcreek and McKean Township, McKean and Wesleyville Borough, as well as parts of Greene and Summit townships is a huge undertaking.
Erie Water Works relies on a dedicated team of professionals who are tasked with the operation and proactive maintenance of a water system begun decades ago to ensure the access to potable water is dependable.
“We like to say we have world-class water and first-class service, and we have some of the best water in the United States,” says Palmer. “But when we talk about first-class service, it starts with our team answering the call any time of day or night to do the work necessary to deliver an uninterrupted supply of high-quality drinking water.”
MAJOR PROJECTS AND INVESTMENTS
Erie Water Works’ infrastructure certainly plays a crucial role in delivering water to the community. To maintain effectiveness and efficiency, continuous investment to facilities and systems is essential to meet and exceed regulatory and safety standards.
In recent years, Erie Water Works has made significant changes to modernize its treatment plants, particularly the nearly 17-year, three-phase $70 million renovation of the Richard S. Wasielewski Water Treatment Plant. This project, completed in 2023, included a full renovation of the facility with new pumps, motors and piping, back-up power generation and an upgrade to its filtration system, a cutting-edge water treatment technology called ultra-filtration membranes that has enabled Erie Water Works to achieve a “commendable” performance, the highest ranking possible from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
Now, the Water Works is making history with its “get the lead out” initiative to remove lead goosenecks on customer service lines in some of the poorest zip codes within the City of Erie and the country, most of which are designated as Environmental Justice Areas by the U.S. EPA.
Over the past 20 years, more than 5,800 goosenecks have been removed by Water Works’ team members. The Water Works annually budgets about $1 million to fund the work of the program, with expected completion at the end of 2027. That’s the year the EPA is implementing its 10-year lead removal deadline for utilities.
According to Palmer, the Erie Water Works has been able to accelerate its lead removal efforts thanks to an infusion of funding secured in large part because of its cutting-edge geographic information system (GIS). Being able to identify where the lead was so quickly enabled the Water Works to jump to the front of the line in applying for grant money — with $49.2 million in funding obtained in the past two years; $39.8 million of which was grants and $9.4 million in 1- percent interest, 30-year loans.
“The funding is allowing us to replace our lead lines 400-percent faster than we had been. What would’ve taken 25 to 30 years is going to take us less than five, as we work to remove the 7,200 remaining lead goosenecks,” Palmer says.
In addition, Erie Water Works has identified the potential hazard for lead deposits in galvanized pipe that connects to the customer’s privately owned side of the water connection. In these Environmental Justice Areas, where most customers can’t afford the pipe’s estimated $5,000 replacement cost, the Water Works has been able to assist, providing a $15 million economic benefit. “Grant money and the low-interest funding that we’re getting from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is not just replacing part of the publically owned system, but the customer’s privately owned side as well,” Palmer says.
At Erie Water Works, the lead line removal project is all about public health. “Even though we have exceptional corrosion control treatment to prevent lead from leaching into the water, our focus is to literally remove the lead, to take that risk factor away,” says Palmer.
ASSETS AND EXPANSION
Keeping track of 775 miles of pipe and more than 375,000 water features — 13,700 valves and 4,100 fire hydrants — throughout its footprint may seem daunting, but Erie Water Works has spent years identifying these data points. The Water Works’ data system is so precise that every asset has a GPS (global positioning system) location within three inches.
From this information, Erie Water Works not only knows exactly where its assets are located, but it is also able to prioritize and rank projects and water mains that need to be replaced. Being an early adopter of this innovative technology has paid dividends.
“We know our water main break history; we know where the highest consequence of failure is — whether it’s in a state highway, near a hospital, in an industrial corridor, or if critical customers are affected, so we’re able to get the most bang for our buck with our investment strategy,” Palmer states.
The Water Works has been equally adept in its efforts to acquire low-interest loans and grants for new projects.
Most recently, the Water Works finished a water main extension into Greene Township to replace the Kirsch Road Water system.
In addition, Greene Township, Millcreek Township and Erie Water Works entered into a memorandum of understanding to work together to extend water lines even further. Erie County and County Executive Brenton Davis granted Erie Water Works $74,000 to design the next phase of water main extension into Greene Township, along Route 8 and into Millcreek. As a result, the Water Works is designing the project so it’s shovel-ready and applying for $1 million in grant money to help fund it.
The Water Works is also applying for grant money to extend water on Clark Road in Harborcreek Township where residents in that area have been desperate for water connections.
“Our water utility serves as an anchor institution in Erie County, providing not only a vital resource but also stability, innovation, and leadership. We are deeply invested in the well-being of the region, supporting economic growth, fostering environmental stewardship, and ensuring access to safe, reliable water for generations to come.”
“Water is life,” Palmer explains. “It is the lifeblood of the community, and you can’t thrive and succeed without it. Because it’s so fundamental to our health and safety and our businesses, I think it’s important for us to do everything we can to help those in need.”
EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Erie Water Works is amplifying its community engagement and education efforts with more involvement in community events and programs, such as MFG Day, Asbury Woods Children’s Water Festival, and through open houses and tours.
According to Palmer, as more people embrace environmental stewardship and learn about the hazards single-use plastics like bottled water pose to our water source, Lake Erie, his organization has renewed efforts to educate the public about the many benefits of tap water. In its quarterly newsletter, the “Newsplash,” for instance, the Water Works informs its customers about all things water and offers incentives, such as a chance to win an Erie Water Works’ Yeti for customers who sign up for its Customer Notification System.
Most recently, Palmer and his team have begun a community based water fountain project to promote the use of reusable water bottle filling stations at local organizations, such as the Manufacturer & Business Association (MBA). Erie Water Works’ messaging will surround the fountain, and a scannable QR code with “TAP 814” will provide people with more information about the benefits of public drinking water. Palmer is planning to start a customer assistance fund with proceeds from the sale of Water Works merchandise — T-shirts, coffee mugs and more — that promote the use of tap water as well.
“Our water quality is job No. 1,” says Palmer. “That’s our product. We’re the only utility that delivers a product for consumption where every single drop must be totally potable to meet and exceed all regulatory standards.”
ECONOMIC IMPACT
The investments being made today by Erie Water Works will not only improve water quality and reliability, but also position the Erie region for future growth and prosperity. The Water Works can supply water from New York to Ohio and as far south as the Great Lakes Basin. “We’re poised for water system expansion,” Palmer says. And as changes in climate patterns continue, Palmer insists the Great Lakes will be a destination for businesses and aims to position the Erie Water Works to capitalize on that future opportunity.
Palmer believes reliable, high-quality water will be a key factor in attracting new businesses to the area, particularly for manufacturing industries, which typically require large amounts of water for their operations. Erie Water Works already boasts a declining block rate structure considered to be among the most business-friendly in the country. As part of that structure, business and industrial customers, which use more water, consistently have lower peaks on the system and lower rates than residential customers as a result.
“In terms of sustainability for business, every expense matters and certainly the cost of water is part of that,” he says.
Another aspect of sustainability is emergency preparedness. In the past five years, Erie Water Works has repainted all of its 13 steel storage tanks and has enacted repairs on five concrete storage reservoirs. In those, 76 million gallons of water is being stored for emergency use and fire protection. “So, if the power goes out, we still have water in the tanks, and we’re still supplying water for customer needs and fire protection,” Palmer says.
Currently, the Water Works’ five-year capital investment plan calls for aggressive infrastructure spending to fund construction projects and improvements in the system. “Looking ahead, we’re going to find the cheapest money possible to do that,” insists Palmer, “so we can keep rates as affordable as possible and continue to serve the needs of Erie County now and in the future.”
In ensuring a steady supply of clean water, Erie Water Works is not only sustaining health and safety but also helping to pump the area’s economic growth, proving that access to this vital resource is one of the region’s greatest assets.
For more information, visit ErieWater.org.
