Science

Charbonneau: The future of water policy in Indiana

Since the drought in 2012, Indiana has been working to clarify water policy in a way that ensures clean, safe drinking water for all Hoosiers while protecting our manufacturing and agricultural economy. Over the last four years, Indiana has taken careful steps to guarantee that any change in policy on water supplies and infrastructure is backed by valid data and information.

In 2012, the General Assembly passed legislation that directed the state to collect data on how utilities planned for changes in water supply. In 2015, there was a survey of water utilities in the largest 15 communities, along with five smaller systems, that found near unanimous interest in planning for the future and knowing more about the growing withdrawals of neighboring water users. After the catastrophe in Flint, Michigan, the state conducted another survey that included almost every community water system in the state. The purpose was to understand how each one invested in replacement of aging infrastructure and how well each system understood water losses due to leaking, aging infrastructure.

The results were staggering. The 2016 survey found that the need for infrastructure vastly outpaces investments. Collectively, we need more than $2.3 billion to begin replacing the […]

Full article: Charbonneau: The future of water policy in Indiana