Privatization of Allentown's water system would have an adverse effect on the entire Lehigh Valley, Glenn L. Hunsicker of the city's registered petition committee, says.

Speaking to South Whitehall commissioners at their Nov. 21 meeting, Hunsicker said water is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity.

His committee was established in opposition to Mayor Ed Pawlowski's plan to lease Allentown's water and sewer operations for 50 years to fund pensions.

"If a private organization comes in, they'll be tapping out the resources in this area," Hunsicker told the board. "This is not just an Allentown issue. It's a regional issue. "You're talking about the whole Delaware basin here."

Allentown resident Tom Hahn, who is also working to preserve local control of water , offered his thoughts on the issue.

"Private companies have a history," Hahn said. "Once they come in, they grab everything."

In one Pennsylvania city, which turned over its water rights to a private company, tanker trucks full of water were being hauled to Wellsboro and Bradford in the northern section of the state and sold for use in the Marcellus shale fracking procedure, he explained.

According to Hahn, the private business was making money by selling the city's water elsewhere.

Hunsicker said Allentown has quality water from the Schantz and Crystal springs, plus surface water from the Little Lehigh and Lehigh rivers.

While it would be sad to have local water sold and used elsewhere, Hunsicker said, it could also diminish the amount available not only for Allentown but also the outlying areas.

Board President Christina "Tori" Morgan asked Hunsicker what he was requesting from South Whitehall.

"We are looking for a resolution to support a situation in which water stays here," he replied.

His committee is collecting signatures in the city for an initiative to be placed on the primary election ballot, leading to a referendum in the fall 2013 general election.

Hunsicker said any encouragement and backing from South Whitehall to guard Allentown and the surrounding region's water supply from privatization would be welcome.

Morgan suggested Hunsicker and his committee present their material to the township's board of authority.

"The demand for water is great," Hunsicker said. "You have to protect it. If outsiders come in, they'll have the right to take out whatever they want."

Hahn offered the closing comment, speaking directly to Morgan.

"If your husband gives you a bottle of water for Christmas, protect it," Hahn said. "It will soon be worth more than diamonds."