While the country has rallied around ugly brown lead-tainted water in Flint, Michigan, Lee Florea has led Hoosier students along Indiana river and creek-banks to show them that water quality issues aren't always that easy to see.

Citizens Energy Group says some customers may notice a temporary chlorine or "swimming pool" smell in their water; but the utility company says the tap water is still safe to drink and meets all regulatory requirements.

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.

Owensville, in southwestern Indiana, is dealing with high levels of a potentially dangerous chemical compound in its water supply and plans to install a drainage pipe in a farm field to help address its water woes.

The Wabash River occupies a comfortable position in Indiana consciousness. The state designated the waterway as its official river in 1996, and marching bands and a cappella groups pay it homage before Purdue football games and the Little 500 bicycle race. But until earlier this year, no one knew exactly how much the state depended on the river.

Best estimates from the state indicate that Indiana's water utilities need around $15 billion to improve their infrastructure.