Citizens Water is in discussions with Lebanon Utilities and the Indiana Finance Authority to provide additional water supply to support the growing region.
Beginning in March 2022, the State approached the utility company about the need for a reliable water supply for the LEAP district in Lebanon, a more than 9,000-acre sustainable community offering advanced manufacturing, mixed use and corporate campus space on I-65’s Hard Tech Corridor.
Since then, the State has continued discussions and is now seeking up to 25 million gallons of water per day from the company, who already services portions of Boone County. Citizens is composed of 10 water treatment plants and resources but would not tap from these resources to sell to Lebanon Utilities.
Construction to increase maximum capacity of Citizens would last approximately six years, but the final project or funding has not been approved. Citizens Energy Group said in a statement that they are committed to protecting current customers from bearing any costs associated with this project.
President and CEO of Citizens Energy Group Jeffrey Harrison said in a statement:
“We at Citizens Energy Group recognize the complexity of this project. Thanks to Citizens Water’s forward-thinking approach to water supply planning, the utility is well-positioned to meet current customers’ water demand now and in the future. The 25 MGD being proposed for Lebanon would not impact the ability of the utility company to serve existing customers in Marion County, Hamilton County or other regional wholesale customers, even in times of drought. Furthermore, Citizens Water routinely considers the 25- and 50-year water needs of Central Indiana, which includes thinking collaboratively with surrounding communities about regional water needs, and this is simply an extension of that process.”
For more information, visit citizensenergygroup.com.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
