As the city of Indianapolis prepares to negotiate a new water withdrawal contract for the Eagle Creek Reservoir, local residents are speaking out about their concerns. Hydrologist Martin Risch, a member of the Eagle Creek Park Advisory Committee, has been involved with the park since its early days in the 1970s. Risch and other committee members are worried about the potential impact of a bad deal on the reservoir’s ecosystem and the community’s drinking water supply.
Background and Concerns
The current contract, which allows Citizens Energy Group to withdraw up to 19.8 million gallons of water per day, is set to expire on July 1. The city has decided to delay negotiations until a comprehensive review of the current agreement is completed. This review will assess the reservoir’s capacity, the effects of water withdrawals associated with the LEAP district, and the impact of treated water sent back from the LEAP district on the reservoir’s water levels and quality.
Residents like Risch and Sarah Phillips are urging the city to consider the long-term effects of any new contract on the reservoir’s ecosystem and the community’s water supply. They are also concerned about the potential for independent deals negotiated by Citizens Energy with other cities to affect the amount of water withdrawn from the reservoir.
Community Input and Next Steps
At a recent public meeting, residents expressed their concerns and suggestions for the new contract. Protect Pike Township volunteer Megan Anderson recommended incorporating protections from discharges from the LEAP district, creating an online dashboard to track water withdrawals, and extending the city’s drought ordinance to Lebanon. The Board of Public Works is scheduled to vote on June 24 on whether to extend the current contract for a year, with automatic yearly extensions until 2031.
The city’s goal is to balance the community’s key interests, including maintaining flood storage capacity, supporting downstream releases, and providing a reliable water supply. As the negotiation process moves forward, residents will be watching closely to ensure that their concerns are addressed and the reservoir’s ecosystem is protected.
Original reporting: Mirror Indy — read the source article.
