19119_Authority_April_2026

municipalauthorities.org │ 57 What has this evolution meant for water supply? Readers may be surprised to learn that the combined water withdrawals for residential and industrial usage in Lehigh County is less than what it was 50 years ago. In the late 1970s, water produced by the City of Allentown and LCA combined to a total of about 31 million gallons per day. By the early 2000s, water usage had dropped to about 20 million gallons per day, but has increased steadily since then. In 2025, we used about 27 million gallons of water per day. The lesson is that demand shifts, but planning must stay ahead of it – especially when the next wave of growth could be water-intensive and controversial. Lehigh County is blessed to have a resilient, well-planned system that has served our community very well over time. However, as demand continues to increase, a forward-looking approach is required. Water is a finite resource. Innovative and integrated water solutions being used in other regions of the world have not been tried here, like water reuse, but could be explored if needed to make way for progress. However, LCA first and foremost remains committed to protecting public health and the environment, and we will not compromise on this core mission. Clear Communication Required The story of water in Lehigh County is complicated. Just in the last few months, LCA has navigated the intertwined issues of new data center pressures, drought, weather-driven main breaks, new manufacturing development, and an annual rate increase to our customers. It’s sometimes difficult to clearly communicate how all these variables are related or not related to each other. LCA’s approach is to focus on transparency, listening, and learning. Our commitment is that we will listen to our customers’ concerns about these issues and share factual and clear information about how we are addressing the difficult water issues of our day. Utilities across Pennsylvania should be preparing now. That means building a communications playbook, coordinating with municipal leaders, publishing clear facts about capacity and drought planning, and addressing misinformation early. Waiting until the first public meeting is too late. S PMAA O nline W ebsite A uthorities C onnect A uthorities O n A ir T he A uthority D igital M agazine L inked I n F acebook U tilities across P ennsylvania should be preparing now …W aiting until the first public meeting is too late . About the author: Liesel Gross is the Chief Executive Officer of Lehigh County Authority, a regional water and sewer utility in eastern Pennsylvania serving a population of 200,000. Her approach to utility management focuses on collaboration, community involvement and employee engagement. Her service to the utility has included developing communications, customer care, technology and knowledge management programs, negotiating contracts, and driving an inclusive teamwork culture. She is an active member of a variety of national and state professional organizations within the water industry, and holds degrees in journalism, public relations and public administration.