Harkins and Merski channel $18.5M in funding into Erie’s water system
Rep. Patrick J. Harkins, Rep. Robert Merski July 16, 2025 | 11:47 AM
ERIE, July 16 – A combined $18.5 million low-interest loan from the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, including approximately $5.643 million in grant-equivalent assistance, is set to propel two major water infrastructure initiatives for the Erie City Water Authority, state Reps. Pat Harkins and Bob Merski announced today.
“Water connects us all, and by modernizing our treatment plants and mains, we’re securing the health and future of every Erie household,” Harkins said. “This funding lets us tackle decades-old leaks, install smarter controls, and guarantee that every drop flowing from our taps meets the highest standard of safety.”
“Under every street lies a water network we rarely see but always need,” Merski said. “With this financial support, we’re reinforcing critical pipes and stations to guarantee every Erie tap delivers reliability and peace of mind.”
The first award will fund a seven-phase capital upgrade program across the authority’s distribution system. Phase 1 begins at the historic Sigsbee Reservoir pump station, installing three new variable frequency drives for precise flow control and upgrading the roof, windows and electrical systems. Phases 2–4 replace ductile-iron mains along Kuntz Road, McClelland Avenue, and in the Frontier neighborhood to improve supply redundancy and reduce breaks. Phases 5–6 replace all seven VFDs at the Richard S. Wasielewski Water Treatment Plant’s West Lake and Low Service pump stations to restore full operational control. The final phase fully reconstructs the original 1874 Sigsbee Reservoir valve vault, addressing leaks and structural settling to ensure safe valve access.
The second award supports a $6.5 million effort to replace approximately 860 private-side galvanized service connections downstream of former lead goosenecks and other lead components. In prior decades, the authority removed lead fittings on the public side; this initiative eliminates the remaining galvanized pipe that risks corrosion and potential lead leaching in environmental justice areas.
Together, these projects will benefit 58,062 households in the City of Erie, Wesleyville and McKean boroughs, and Greene, Harborcreek, Lawrence Park, McKean, Millcreek, and Summit townships, providing bulk service to Summit Township and Fairview Township Water authorities. Both efforts target low-income communities, improving aesthetic water quality, bolstering regulatory compliance and increasing system reliability without costly consolidations.
Absent this combined Pennvest support, user rates in the project area would have risen by approximately 87%. The grant-equivalent assistance—$4.279 million for the distribution upgrades and $1.364 million for the service line replacements—will help keep rates affordable and deliver long-term public health benefits.
Pennvest specializes in funding sewer, stormwater and drinking water projects across Pennsylvania. Its low-cost financial assistance helps make the water consumed every day by thousands of Pennsylvanians safe to drink.