To accommodate growth and development around Smith Mountain Lake, the Bedford County Public Service Authority wants to increase the amount of drinking water it withdraws from the lake -- by as much as 2 million gallons a day.

The authority has filed petitions with Appalachian Power Co., the company that operates the hydroelectric dam, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency that licenses the dam, to increase the peak daily withdrawal from 1 million gallons to 3 million gallons per day, Appalachian spokesman John Shepelwich said.

The lake contains about 20,000 surface acres, which means the first foot of the lake contains more than 6 billion gallons of water. Drawing a peak volume of 3 million gallons per day won't make a visible difference in the lake's water level.

PSA Director Brian Key said the proposal already has been approved by the state Department of Health and the Department of Environmental Quality, and he anticipates a decision from Appalachian and FERC within the next couple of months.

-- Courtney Cutright