Eight of the nine municipalities required to get a regional stormwater study off the ground have now signed on to do their part.

On Thursday, Cranberry Township’s supervisors approved funding to participate in the study, joining Adams, Jackson and Lancaster townships as well as Evans City, Harmony, Mars, Seven Fields and Zelienople boroughs.

The only municipality that hasn’t joined the study is Mars, where the council hasn’t yet discussed the matter publicly.

The $76,380 Lower Connoquenessing Watershed Stormwater Planning Study — of which 80 percent of the cost would be split between the nine municipalities, while the county will pay the other 20 percent — will be carried out by the firm Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, and coupled with three design projects per municipality to help prevent flooding.

We’re glad to see that nearly all of the municipalities have signed on to do their part — and hope Mars will join once the matter is brought up for public discussion.

Cranberry should be commended for deciding to join the study. The township has a minimal part of its area inside the watershed, but township Manager Jerry Andree noted that one of Cranberry’s top goals is to work with other municipalities.

“As part of our comprehensive plan, our board of supervisors feel very positive about intermunicipal cooperation,” he said.

Although its original intent was in regard to economic matters — and its use might be a little on the nose considering the circumstances — the phrase “all boats rise with the tide” is apropos here.

It’s great to see a municipality getting involved with an effort that might provide a greater benefit to other involved municipalities. Helping one’s neighbor is always honorable.

At the same time, some of the municipalities involved could learn that flooding problems in their own backyard are caused by communities upstream. Therefore, working together on the study — and coming up with solutions together — benefits all involved.

Plus, it’s obvious that something must be done to address the devastating flooding that plagued Butler County last summer, damaging homes and businesses, affecting the livelihood of farmers and requiring large amounts of money for repairs.

So, we’re glad to see county municipalities working together to come up with solutions. Addressing the problem before it arrives again will save money, property and possibly lives. It’s a better option than waiting to clean up after the fact.

— NCD