Beaver Run Reservoir Petition

With water levels at Beaver Run Reservoir dangerously low, the water supplies of 150,000 people are under threat.

On June 15, 2023, the State of Pennsylvania declared a Drought Watch. However, the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) waited until November 10 to pause withdrawals of water for fracking. In 2023 alone, 328,728,378 gallons of water were extracted for fracking, never to re-enter our watershed. A year later in November 2024, the state has declared yet another drought declaration.

Therefore, we call upon the MAWC and the Westmoreland County Commissioners to take the following actions to safeguard the public's water going forward:

MAWC should automatically and immediately pause fracking withdrawals whenever a drought watch or warning is declared. Specifically, the Drought Conservation Plan should be revised so that fracking withdrawals are considered a “prohibited non-essential use” when any Emergency is declared (either Stage I, II, or III). Petitions by fracking corporations for exemptions from this designation due to alleged hardship must be categorically denied.
MAWC should create a long term strategic plan on water conservation which takes into account the latest science on both fracking and climate change's impact on rain levels.
MAWC should cap annual fracking withdrawals from Beaver Run Reservoir at half the amount used in 2023. In 2023, as stated above, 328,728,378 gallons of water were used by three fracking corporations. MAWC should limit total future annual fracking withdrawals to 160,000,000 gallons.
MAWC should charge a premium for water consumed by fracking, based on the fact that it is unrecoverable and does not re-enter the watershed, unlike water used for virtually all other uses. UPDATE: MAWC has taken this action! As of April 1, 2024, fracking corporations will pay $9.40 per 1,000 gallons, up from $5.37 per 1,000 gallons in 2023.

By signing this petition, I certify that I am a resident and/or taxpayer of Westmoreland County, and/or that I buy water from a municipal authority (eg, Plum), which receives water from MAWC.