Conference To Address State's Future Water Supply Needs

A Purdue University water research center Friday is hosting a conference in Indianapolis aimed at identifying and addressing Indiana’s future water needs. 

Indiana has a history of plentiful and high quality groundwater. But some experts say the 2012 drought—the state’s worst since 1988—exposed vulnerabilities in the state’s supply that could lead to future issues if not addressed.

Purdue University Water Community Director Ron Turco says Friday’s conference—called Defining Indiana’s Water Needs—will tackle the question of what needs to be done.  

“How do we manage that groundwater to the best of our ability?" Turco says. "How do we protect it? How do we really make the most out of it? Those are kind of the questions that, as we move into the future, we really need to be prepared to answer.”

The conference will cover several water-related areas of concern in Indiana and feature a breakout session for attendees to discuss issues and solutions. Turco says he hopes it’s the first of many events to bring stakeholders together.

“There are many voices to be heard from, and we think it’s a very long-term process," Turco says. "It’s not going to happen overnight. We need to engage many people in this. There are many ideas that need to come to this table and, as they say, the tent needs to be really big.”

The conference will be Friday at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Indianapolis from 10 am to 530 pm. It’s free and open to the public, although those interested must register on the Purdue Water Community’s website before noon on Tuesday.