LEBANON, Ind. — One of the area's largest utilities may be a solution to Lebanon's water woes — or at least a part of it.
As 13News reported in June, a lack of water forced the city to hit the pause button on new construction projects. That included the next phase of the LEAP District, a high-tech corridor developed in partnership with the Indiana Economic Development Commission.
But Citizens Energy Group said it’s in talks with the City of Lebanon to potentially provide up to 25 million gallons of water per day to Lebanon Utilities.
“At this juncture, we are making good progress on discussions for Citizens Water to provide up to 25 million gallons of water per day (MGD) to Lebanon Utilities,” spokeswoman Laura O’Brien said. “We routinely consider the 25- and 50-year water needs of central Indiana, which includes thinking collaboratively with surrounding communities about regional water needs."
"All of our customers benefit from the reliability provided by our 10 water production facilities and four regional reservoirs throughout central Indiana. Therefore, the 25 MGD being proposed for Lebanon will not impact the ability of Citizens Water to serve our customers in Marion County, Hamilton County or our other regional customers, even in times of drought,” O'Brien said.
According to our newsgathering partners at the Lebanon Reporter, earlier this summer, city leaders said they were negotiating with Indiana American Water and Citizens Energy Group to pipe in more water. Once an agreement is reached, it would take 24-40 months or more to build out infrastructure.
13News reported also more than a year ago that state economic development officials were looking into a plan to build a pipeline that would bring water from an underground aquifer in Tippecanoe County down to Lebanon to provide water for the LEAP District. But when Tippecanoe County citizens and community leaders objected – concerned about their own water supply needs – the plan was put on pause until a state study could be finished.
The study, overseen by the Indiana Finance Authority, is separate from the ongoing discussions between Lebanon and Citizens.
O’Brien said Citizens is “excited about the potential to support such a significant regional water supply project," and added that current customers would not bear any of the costs associated with the program.