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Saturday, February 15, 2025

One thing Hoosiers can agree on: water 

HANNA RAUWORTH
HANNA RAUWORTH
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.

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A study by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) shows that Indiana voters overwhelmingly support measures to protect and manage the state’s water resources. 

The survey conducted responses from 80 registered voters across the state and found a strong bipartisan agreement on the importance of safeguarding water resources and the restoration of wetland protections. 

The survey found the following: 

  • 95% of voters agree that water is a public resource that should be protected, with 76% strongly agreeing. 
  • 82% of voters support the creation of a statewide policy to manage Indiana’s water resources, demonstrating a clear public mandate for legislative action. 
  • Protecting Indiana’s water resources is an important issue for 81% of voters when making decisions in state elections.  
  • 72% of respondents expressed confidence in the safety of their tap water, while 25% indicated a lack of confidence, highlighting the need for continued improvements in water quality assurance. 

The survey also found that Indiana voters share support for protecting the wetlands, which were repealed by state lawmakers in 2021. Wetlands are areas like bogs, marshes and fens that filter water and absorb falling rain. Indiana has lost 90% of its original wetlands, and 73% of voters support their restoration.  

Voters also backed incentives for farmers to practice sustainable farming and for developers to protect wetlands.   

Indiana has lost 90% of its original wetlands, a cause of concern for Hoosiers who hope state legislators take action. (Photos/TNC)

“These results send a powerful message that Hoosiers value clean and accessible water as a cornerstone of our state’s future,” said John Ketzenberger, director of government relations for TNC in Indiana. “The strong bipartisan support shown in the survey results underscores now is the time to protect Indiana’s water resources for generations to come.” 

Indiana has lost 90% of its original wetlands, a cause of concern for Hoosiers who hope state legislators take action. (Photos/TNC)

The survey reveals Hoosiers’ concerns for the problems Indiana faces like water-intensive industries and pollution from pesticides, fertilizer and storm water runoff. 

“TNC believes people and nature can thrive together, but we need help from Indiana’s lawmakers to safeguard our natural resources and not exploit them,” Ketzenberger said. “We hope the General Assembly recognizes Hoosiers understand water is a resource for everyone and that lawmakers will act accordingly.” 

The Midwest is poised as a center for fresh water, considering the Great Lakes hold about 20% of the world’s supply. Indiana has only a small portion of the supply, but Indiana is also rich in ground water and aquifers.  

The only problem? Little is being done to protect the supply. 

According to Megan Freveletti, an attorney with the Conservation Law Center at Indiana University Bloomington, Indiana is well behind neighboring states when it comes to water policy. 

Indiana has lost 90% of its original wetlands, a cause of concern for Hoosiers who hope state legislators take action. (Photos/TNC)

Ohio, Michigan and Illinois have all established statewide policies that guide water quality and use. Freveletti is researching states like Texas, who divides their state into regions that assess their needs based on industry, agriculture and population updates. 

“It’s a data-oriented approach, and the planning is critical in the process,” Freveletti said. 

TNC hopes their survey emphasizes the need for change and pushes lawmakers to fight for equitable water policies for all Hoosiers. 

For more information about TNC and their work in Indiana, visit nature.org

To read more like this, click here.

Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth. 

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Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Thanks for sharing this valuable information! It’s great to see such strong support for water protection and wetland restoration in Indiana. The idea of a statewide water policy is crucial!

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