News

Scroll down for an update on our conservation work, our ongoing campaigns, our upcoming events, our volunteer opportunities, and press.

A Summer with MWA

By Jena Shaffer / June 19, 2019

Summer 2019 is proving to already be packed full of water sampling, activities, and events for MWA and staff. Fortunately, we have three additional AmeriCorps Members for the summer to…

Slow Down & Enjoy Nature

By Jena Shaffer / June 4, 2019

On Saturday, May 25, MWA was pleased to have joined in the Bear Run Meditation Hike; an outing hosted by the Allegheny Group of the Sierra Club. While there, we…

Economic Study of the Value of Water in the Laurel Highlands

By Jena Shaffer / May 29, 2019

“When the well is dry, we’ll know the worth of water.” Benjamin Franklin. Unfortunately, many people do not fully understand the value of water, but a partnership of organizations in…

Swimmable Waters- 2019 Swim Season

By Jena Shaffer / May 3, 2019

May 1 brings the start of the 2019 Swim Season and that brings back our Swimmable Waters program. During the swim season, May 1 – September 30, MWA samples 14…

Public Meeting Held for the Indian Creek River Conservation Plan Update

By Jena Shaffer / March 29, 2019

A lot of great feedback was given during the Public Information Gathering Session for the Indian Creek River Conservation Plan update. Community members joined together on Thursday, March 28 to…

Problems Surface at Wells Near Beaver Run Reservoir

By Ashley Funk / February 4, 2019

There are 8 shale gas well pads surrounding the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County’s Beaver Run Reservoir, which provides water to approximately 130,000 homes. For a breakdown of MAWC’s systems and…

Public Participation Vital for the Indian Creek River Conservation Plan Update

By Jena Shaffer / January 30, 2019

We are updating the Indian Creek River Conservation Plan and could use your help! Do you enjoy fishing, kayaking, bird watching, maybe ATV riding, or site seeing? How about camping,…

Elizabeth Twp Approves Controversial Power Plant Proposal – Legal Challenge Follows Immediately

By Ashley Funk / December 21, 2018

Despite listening to more than three hours of public comment in opposition to the proposal, the Elizabeth Township Commissioners voted 4-3 to pass a controversial ordinance and zoning change that would…

2018: A Year In Review

By Jena Shaffer / December 18, 2018

Dear Friend of the Watershed, THANK YOU for your generous support throughout the past year.  Our success is only possible because of your interest and commitment to our streams, rivers, and…

Attend the upcoming hearing on proposed industrial zone & power plant along Yough River in Elizabeth Twp

By Ashley Funk / December 13, 2018

At the hearing, the Commissioners will consider a proposal by Invenergy LLC, who is hoping to build a 550-megawatt gas-fired power plant, known as the Allegheny Energy Center (AEC). The AEC would be constructed next to the Youghiogheny River and the Great Allegheny bike trail, nearby the neighborhood of Smithdale. In order to build their power plant, Invenergy has proposed a zoning change and an ordinance, which would rezone nearly 147 acres from rural residential to light industrial. The proposed ordinance would also list power plants as a ‘permitted use’ in all industrial zones.

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Fracking Operator Seeks Leases from Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County

May 13, 2026

Through a recent “Right to Know” request, MWA learned that the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County (MAWC) was approached to lease large…

Blue Hole Creek still polluted, but no further action from PA DEP (ACTION ITEM)

April 30, 2026

A whole year after MWA learned about lead pollution in Blue Hole Creek in Forbes State Forest, this once-pristine stream remains contaminated…

Your Water Bill Could Go Up — Here’s What That Letter Really Means

April 27, 2026
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Recently, many Indian Creek Valley Water Authority (ICVWA) customers opened their mail and found a “Rate Impact Notice” about possible future rate…

MWA Files Appeal After $2.8M Cut to Mine-Damage Protections

April 21, 2026
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MWA has filed an appeal challenging a decision to cut millions of dollars in financial protections for damage from underground coal mining…

Happy Egg Season! What’s About to Hatch?

April 10, 2026

It’s my favorite time of year! EGG SEASON. No, not just Easter egg hunts. But the time of year where some birds…