For the third straight month, residents aired their concerns about a proposed water extraction business during the West Penn Township supervisors meeting.

Ringgold Acquisition Group II LLC of Philadelphia is the company which has been drilling test wells on a property located at 1 Fort Franklin Road. The company is currently operating a water extraction business on Kepner's Road.The supervisors let the residents know that they're taking steps to protect township roads from the effects of heavy trucks whether they are hauling water or other goods by establishing weight limits on roads and requiring companies to post a bond to use them."The proposed use (of township roads by the water company tanker trucks) triggered the township to study the road use issue," said township solicitor Gretchen Stearns. "It's not the target."During the meeting, the supervisors directed township engineer Jeff DeAngelo of Alfred Benesch & Co., to conduct a study of Blue Mountain Drive and Kepners, Dorset and Retreat road.Benesch will do test holes, about one-foot square, along the roads at various points. Benesch will also do a traffic study to determine the amount of traffic flow on the roads.Once the results of the study have been formalized, the supervisors may develop an ordinance regarding road posting and bonding, as needed.If an ordinance is passed, companies or entities which need to use the road, with overweight vehicles, would have a grace period to get into compliance with the ordinance by posting bonds.Stearns said that a bond schedule would follow the guidelines set by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.The bond schedule has changed in recent years as a result of the shale industry, she said.Residents had questions about the plans for the test holes and traffic study, and also discussed the water company's use of a state permit regarding running "heavy" or operating trucks that are heavier than the average truck.Water tanker trucks may weigh 100,000 pounds or more; if so, they require an extra axle to support the weight.Some residents said that beyond the legalities or impact on area roads, they want the supervisors to consider the business's impact on their lives."You need to consider the impact on our neighborhoods," said Larry Stable. "What has the current water hauler done for the community?"Resident DelRoy Haas asked about having a per-gallon surcharge, but Stearns said that she hasn't yet found evidence that such a charge is being levied anywhere. She cautioned against taking hasty actions."We want to proceed slowly, deliberately," she said. "And make sure our decisions are defensible."Resident Ted Luhowy asked when action would be taken to fine the water extraction company for work done on the Franklin Road property, which he said was done without the proper permits."Where are the repercussions?" Luhowy asked. "He has no consequence whatsoever."Chairman Jim Akins, as well as Stearns, assured the citizens that corrective action, if warranted, would be taken.They said that the township has done so in previous instances involving numerous other property owners.