INDIANAPOLIS —The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously passed State Rep. Heath VanNatter’s, R-Kokomo, bill Wednesday that would provide for the expansion of clean water sources by utilities in Indiana.
House Bill 1519 would allow a utility, such as a municipality or company, to build sewers, water mains and service lines into a new infrastructure development zone, according to a press release from VanNatter's office.
Currently, utilities can run other systems such as fiber optics and electric systems into these zones but not wastewater structures. Connecting these development zones with water and wastewater utilities will hasten development and economic growth, VanNatter said.
“Expanding our water and wastewater service systems into new communities is crucial as long as we maintain accountability on behalf of ratepayers while these developments are made throughout Indiana,” he said in the release.
The bill would also allow for utilities in Indiana to develop and secure future clean sources of water. Currently, utilities cannot recoup any costs from developing future water sources until they are actually being used.
This reform will encourage planning and preparation, especially for growing communities, according to VanNatter. Utilities would be required to submit a plan for approval by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to ensure ratepayers wouldn’t be unfairly treated in the process.
“Moving forward, avoiding lead contamination in our drinking water needs to be on the top of our priority list and this bill encourages the procurement of clean water for future Hoosier communities,” VanNatter said.
VanNatter also said the bill urges the assignment of lead contamination in water to a summer study committee. If assigned by the Legislative Council, the committee would study the causes and potential safeguards needed to prevent future lead crises from happening in Indiana.
The bill now moves to the Senate for further consideration.