By Eileen Buckley
Tonawanda, NY – Another step toward regional cooperation in Erie County was announced Thursday. Erie County is providing a $200,000 grant to the City of Tonawanda so it can merge its water system with the County Water Authority.
County Legislator Charles Swanick, who represents the Tonawanda district, says the City of Tonawanda has a very outdated water system.
"The Erie County Water Authority has a very modern, efficient, upgraded system that can provide all the water the City of Tonawanda would ever need," Swanick said. "So not only do we have a consolidation here, but we have a common sense approach to cutting costs."
Water rates for City of Tonawanda residents will be lowered once the merger is complete. County Executive Giambra says this merger will lead to more regional efforts throughout Erie County.