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State Lawmakers Looking For Ways To Enhance Water Resources

Last updated on Monday, July 14, 2014

(INDIANAPOLIS) - Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford, was recently appointed as chairman of the Interim Study Committee on Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications.

The group will study the effect of water resources on the state, how government can better manage the resources and the challenges the agricultural community is facing.

Koch says water is something Indiana residents take for granted. Unlike other states that are facing water shortages, Indiana is not facing those issues - yet.

Legislators are being proactive and the committee will look at ways the agricultural community can have adequate water supplies. Panelists will study aquifer withdrawals, surface water concerns and inter-basin transfers (moving water from a river basin to a basin where there is less water.)

But the committee will not be focusing on water quality, Koch says.

The Environment America Research and Policy Center, a sub-group of the non-for-profit Environment America, released a study last month that found Indiana dumped more pollutants into the water than any other state. More than 17 million pounds of toxic chemicals were dumped into state waters in 2012, according to the report.

Koch says, the committee will meet sometime in August and September.

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