Campbell: Groundwater is a resource not a tool
“On the banks of the Wabash, far away. Many years have passed since I strolled by the river.” Many of you will recognize this quote as lyrics from our state song – On the Banks of the Wabash. In the past year, the Wabash River – and its aquifers – have been a constant topic of discussion. Not because of our state song, but because of the proposed water transfer of up to 100 million gallons a day to Central Indiana. The IEDC selected Lebanon for the massive LEAP District manufacturing park. However, a 2021 Central Indiana Water Study cited Boone County as a water-scarce region. The IEDC proposed a solution: A nearly 40-mile pipeline from the Wabash River Alluvial Aquifer to the LEAP District. Since its beginning, the pipeline has lacked transparency, public input and oversight.
Tippecanoe County residents deserve transparency and input, but those aren’t the only concerns with the proposal. We haven’t considered the long-term environmental impact of a daily water withdrawal. INTERA and the Indiana Finance Authority completed the initial phase of their water supply study in September. The results indicated the ability to withdraw 45 million gallons a day from each of the two pumps but lacked information about the impact on the aquifer. The rest of their study will be completed by Fall 2024. Yet, the 2021 Central Indiana Water Study took two years to complete and finalize – the LEAP study will take a year. Our aquifers require the utmost care, consideration and study.
Aquifers store groundwater which is one of the richest freshwater resources in Indiana. Aquifers are vital to Hoosier’s well-being. However, they’re not a renewable resource; they can be overused. Called groundwater depletion, massive removals of water without time to recharge depletes the natural system. As an aquifer is drained, wells dry up, water in streams and lakes reduces and water quality decreases. Depletion is disastrous for a region's economic, social and environmental well-being. Groundwater is a limited resource – we need fresh water to survive – and must be treated as such.
We cannot deplete our aquifers – millions of Hoosiers rely on them. Groundwater is the main source of drinking water in our state. More than 60% of Indiana’s drinking water comes from public or private wells. It’s the main source of water for our rural populations. 127 million gallons a day of groundwater is used for individual household supply. It’s also essential to our agricultural needs. Close to 93.1 million gallons is used per day for irrigation and 32.7 million is used for livestock and aquaculture. Aquifers are essential to Indiana’s vitality, and they deserve our protection.
As of right now, we don’t know how the LEAP pipeline would impact our aquifer. Would pumping 100 million gallons each day allow the aquifer to recharge? Would sustained pumping erode the natural formation of the aquifer? What would happen in periods of severe drought? As of right now, we don’t have sufficient data to answer these questions. We do know that groundwater depletion can cause serious water shortages if it’s withdrawn faster than it’s replenished.
That’s why we must study before we act. We must protect our groundwater systems. Any plan that seeks to transfer water from the must align with environmental realities. We must be reasonable, and we must plan for the future. Groundwater is a limited resource – not a tool for development – and it deserves our careful attention.