New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently celebrated $20 million in grant funding for the upgrading of water infrastructure in Erie County, particularly the completion of a long-awaited $80 million overhaul on water filters that treat 60 million gallons of Lake Erie water per day by the Erie County Water Authority (ECWA).
“Water is our very essence, and when we don't protect our water and the systems that deliver it, we put our communities at risk,” Hochul remarked of the funding. “Today, we're delivering significant funding for the first major upgrade to Erie County's water systems, helping ensure over half a million people have access to clean drinking water for decades to come.”
This major infrastructure project will help to ensure that the 180,000 Erie customers served by the Van de Water Treatment Plant will deal with less service interruptions, and increased demand in the future can be met.
“Reliable access to clean water is vital to our health and to the Western New York economy,” commented New York State Senator Sean Ryan of the funding. “It's something we often take for granted until it's gone. This investment in modernizing ECWA's filtration systems will ensure residents of Erie County can remain confident that our water supply is safe and dependable. I thank Governor Hochul for prioritizing upgrades to our clean water infrastructure here and throughout the state.”
The funding is also expected to help the ECWA extend the life of their water infrastructure and continue supplying the safest, most affordable water possible to just over an estimated half a million customers.
“The $20 million announced today will allow Erie County to make upgrades to their water system that will safeguard their drinking water now and for years to come,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald stated of the funding. “I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to the protection of the health of all New Yorkers as we know that clean and safe water is essential to life."
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