Failing septic systems can leak wastewater into local streams and lakes. It can also get into drinking water wells and make people sick.

Major sewer rehabilitation work at the intersection of 16th and Meridian streets in Indianapolis begins Friday and is scheduled through early next week.

As more cities face this issue, experts argue over which products to blame.

Lots of communities in Indiana 105, to be exact are working to reduce their combined sewer overflows right now in a variey of ways - from large storage tunnels to do-it-yourself rain gardens. But why are we seeing so many of these public works projects now?

More than 100 of Indiana's sewage systems need improvements to comply with federal standards, and the Environmental Protection Agency has sued many cities and towns over sewage overflow problems. Some cities are building new sewage overflow tunnels to fix the problem.

One small Indiana city almost lost control of its water utility, but the state is revising certification tests to help other cities facing the same fate.