Letter to the editor: Mandatory water restrictions coming?

Due to very low water levels in the Beaver Run Reservoir, the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (“Rain fails to ease concerns over falling water level at Beaver Run Reservoir,” Dec. 4, TribLIVE) may shortly impose mandatory water restrictions. They initially have asked for voluntary restrictions, which will fail. The low level in the reservoir is due to the drought in the area. Welcome home climate change due to global warming.

The low level was exacerbated by the authority continuing to allow the frackers to pump water out of the reservoir even after the level began to drop. They eventually shut the frackers off, but it was way too late. Fracking around a drinking water source should not have been permitted in the first place.

The water restrictions will probably begin by shutting off industrial users. If they are shut off too long they may just pack up and leave. The authority also supplies water to several out-of-county municipalities — Plum, Monroeville and others, as I recall. They may be shut off first. They can get water from the Allegheny.

Beaver Run, which is the only major inflow into the reservoir, is a very small creek. Residential users will be the last to be restricted. Good luck showering once a week on Saturday. If you doubt my prophesy, go see the reservoir and Beaver Run for yourself.

Lawrence Josephs

Penn Township, Westmoreland County