Erie County Water Authority

Erie County Water Authority, a U.S. local government entity based in Buffalo, New York, operates as a sub-recipient on federal grant programs focused on water utility infrastructure repair and emergency protective measures, with no prime contract vehicles or contracting authority of its own. The Authority receives federal pass-through funding routed through New York State's Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services and works across water supply and irrigation systems, hydrant repair, and fencing infrastructure under FEMA and VA grant programs.

Erie County Water Authority's federal footprint is narrow and episodic. The Authority holds 21 awards across two decades (first award August 2005, most recent January 2026), with highly uneven activity — three awards in 2009, one in 2010, two in 2011, three in 2022, and two in early 2026 — and operates entirely in the sub-recipient role (24% of awards) and prime-recipient role on grants (76%). The combined potential value of all awards totals $585 thousand, but cumulative obligated dollars reached $1.8 million, indicating past performance and draw-down across a portfolio with extended completion windows. Customer concentration is diffuse across four agencies: the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Financial Assistance program leads by award count with five awards; the Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Health Administration's Veterans Integrated Service Network 4 anchors potential value at $158 thousand across four awards; and the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency each account for single awards. The Authority's work is classified primarily under NAICS 54262 (Water Supply and Irrigation Systems) — twelve awards — with secondary exposure under electric utility regulation and administration. PSC coding mirrors this: Utilities–Water accounts for eleven awards, with Utilities–Other and Utilities–Electric rounding out the portfolio.

Recent sub-grant work includes hydrant repair and replacement and fencing and door repair funded through New York State pass-through from FEMA, awarded January 2026. Closed projects from 2020–2022 centered on emergency protective measures under Category B FEMA grants. The Authority does not bid on federal contracts or hold seats on IDIQs, GWACs, or BPAs; federal engagement is restricted to grant sub-recipient roles where state agencies hold the prime relationship.