The 7th annual Indiana Water Summit, hosted on Aug. 20-21 by the White River Alliance, brought together experts and community leaders to discuss crucial topics on water sustainability, policy and management.
“As far as we know, the Indiana Water Summit is the only event statewide that includes everyone,” said Bill Blomquist, staff member at the White River Alliance and organizer of the summit.
The summit’s topics of discussion vary each year. This year, the topics centered around gathering more data on Indiana’s water supply, water quality and the future of water and waste utility companies.
Being able to measure the water levels and gather data on Indiana’s water supply is a vital resource for organizations, according to Blomquist. Understanding where the water supplies are and the quality of those supplies provides information needed for public health, wildlife, vegetation and the economy.
“We do have some places in Indiana where we know what the water supply is, but we have even more that we don’t know enough about,” Blomquist said.
In Hamilton and Morgan Counties, these levels have been measured and a database was created to track, monitor and create graphs to understand them. Theresa Landewe, director of the Midwest region for INTERA, an environmental and water resource consulting firm, showcased the graphics at the summit.
As Landewe described, the graphics will not only help at the local level but may inspire other counties and areas to do the same on a broader scale, not only tracking the levels but evaluating the quality of the water in Indiana.
Water quality is just as important as location. Agricultural pesticides and chemical runoff can enter your body and be stored there. Knowing where these streams go and what animals and vegetation they encounter along the way is essential for public health.
The discussion also centered around water and waste utility companies and the challenges they face. The cost of keeping water clean, the threat of rising temperatures and maintaining a workforce have all been challenges for companies like Citizens. A retiring workforce and lack of employees to fill those roles are causing shortages that could affect the production and maintenance of clean water.
In addition, modern technology makes water utility companies vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
“There are all things that people don’t think about on a day-to-day basis,” Blomquist said. “Our health and well-being rely on what these organizations do every day and on them being protected.”
The summit topics do not just impact organizations, however. At the center of the stage is Hoosiers and making sure they can see results from the topics on display.
“The summit elevates and shines a light on topics that affect everyone’s well-being,” Blomquist said.
There is a year-round meeting every other month that stems from the Indiana Water Summit. They take a deeper dive into the pressing issues and think about the local or state policy routes that could solve the issue. The action stems directly from the brainstorming that happens at the summit.
“Most of the time, these conversations are happening in (the organization’s) own silos, and what’s unique about the Indiana Water Summit, is that everyone is in the same room,” Blomquist said.
For more information about the White River Alliance visit thewhiteriveralliance.org. For more information about the Indiana Water Summit and to view the full 2024 agenda, visit thewhiteriveralliance.org/event/Indiana-water-summit.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
