#United States #Water Infrastructure #Indiana American Water #Gary

Indiana American Water's $24.5 Million Project in Gary

Indiana American Water has successfully completed a significant infrastructure upgrade in Gary, Indiana, with a total investment of $24.5 million. This ambitious project aims to improve the overall reliability of water services and enhance fire protection capacities across Northwest Indiana, demonstrating the company's commitment to modernizing essential utilities.

Project Overview

The construction initiative, which began around four years ago, involved the replacement of outdated transmission and distribution mains that had frequently experienced service disruptions. As of now, the project is nearly completed, with only the final connection at the Borman Park Water Treatment Plant pending.

The newly laid infrastructure encompasses about 10,000 feet of water main, including 6,000 feet of transmission mains and 4,000 feet dedicated to distribution. These updates replace aging 16-inch and 20-inch pipes over 70 years old with modern 24-inch to 36-inch mains, significantly boosting water flow and enhancing system resilience to meet current and future demands.

Enhancing Water Service Reliability

According to Albert Turner, the engineering project manager, this project represents a crucial investment in the long-term reliability of the water system. The previous transmission main had incurred numerous breaks, disrupting operations across the distribution network. By replacing this critical component, Indiana American Water aims to ensure consistent and reliable water service delivery to its customers throughout the region.

This new pipeline is an essential part of the water distribution system, allowing treated water from Lake Michigan to traverse through the Borman Park Water Treatment Plant into the regional network.

Upgraded Fire Protection Capacity

As part of the project's enhancements, Indiana American Water has also increased capacity in key areas by installing larger-diameter pipes, which are essential for improving fire protection capabilities. Jacquelyne Byland, senior engineering manager, emphasized that an integral part of the upgrade focuses on modernizing the infrastructure and addressing existing facilities requiring multiple repairs.

By upsizing certain elements of the system, the company has not only improved reliability for customers but also augmented fire flow capacity, reinforcing community safety.

Commitment to Public Health

An essential aspect of the project is the replacement of more than 100 lead service lines within the service area. This initiative underscores Indiana American Water's commitment to maintaining high water quality standards and safeguarding public health.

As Byland stated, every lead-connected service line identified along the transmission main has been replaced as part of this comprehensive project. This proactive step not only enhances the system’s performance but also advances their ongoing efforts to eliminate lead from the water service infrastructure in the communities they serve.

Future Investments

Rex Construction served as the primary contractor on this extensive infrastructure project. Looking ahead, Indiana American Water has committed to investing over $200 million annually in water and wastewater infrastructure across Indiana. These investments help to provide safe, clean, reliable, and affordable service, while also supporting economic development and enhancing fire protection.

As the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the country, American Water, the parent company of Indiana American Water, has a long-standing history of prioritizing infrastructure improvements and ensuring that they meet the needs of approximately 1.5 million people directly served in the state.

By addressing the challenges of aging infrastructure and leading the way in sustainable practices, Indiana American Water continues to play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for residents in Northwest Indiana. For further information about their services and initiatives, visit amwater.com.