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Concerns raised about Indy's groundwater supply

Posted at 5:50 PM, Apr 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-12 18:31:02-04

INDIANAPOLIS -- Concerns have surfaced about contamination and the quality of Indianapolis' groundwater supply.

Levels of volatile chemicals and known carcinogens have been detected in the raw water supply on the city's near-west side.

As early as 2012, vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen, and trichloroethylene were discovered in as many as seven of the 19 deep-water wells near 16th Street and the White River.

The contamination is at least 200 feet deep and could come from as many as 260 potential sources around Indianapolis.

Citizens Energy says its own scientists discovered the contamination and reported it to the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.

It's likely that within the next several months, the EPA could declare the wellfield area a Superfund site. Citizens Energy says that's a good thing.

"The process will provide funding from the EPA to prevent future problems with the water supply," said Dan Considine, of Citizens Energy.

Citizens Energy says it's working closely with state and federal governments to monitor the site.

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