Evansville: City Announces Major Cost-Saving Shift in Water Supply Strategy

~ At Tuesday's Water Sewer Utility Board Meeting, officials from the Evansville Water Sewer Utility (EWSU) presented a groundbreaking plan that will fundamentally reshape the city's water system and save ratepayers up to $200 million over time. The meeting, held at 3:00 p.m. at the Sunrise Pump Station, saw the EWSU announce their decision to shift from previously proposed plans of constructing a new water treatment facility solely sourcing water from the Ohio River.

Under this new plan, the EWSU will blend groundwater with Ohio River water to supply its customers. This approach includes building a new groundwater treatment facility and wells, as well as renovating the existing South Water Treatment Plant. This strategic shift is expected to be more cost-effective in the long run.

Mayor Terry expressed his support for this decision, stating that every family in Evansville relies on clean and reliable water. He believes that this new approach will not only strengthen the quality and reliability of the city's water supply but also protect affordability for residents. By avoiding unnecessary costs, Mayor Terry believes that this plan will reduce pressure for future rate increases and ensure that water service remains accessible for families and businesses.

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The revised plan offers multiple benefits, including up to $100 million in construction cost savings by utilizing and upgrading existing infrastructure. Additionally, it could save another $100 million in long-term capital and operational costs by avoiding the need for treatment of PFAS "forever chemicals" at the surface-water plant. Field tests have shown that Evansville's groundwater resources have little to no PFAS contamination, making it unnecessary to treat them under current regulatory limits. Furthermore, blending water from both sources adds redundancy and could potentially reduce temperature-related main breaks.

Apart from enhancing long-term water security for the city, this transition to a blended supply also has financial benefits for customers. It is expected to delay or potentially avoid significant future rate increases.

Vic Kelson, Executive Director of the EWSU, emphasized the importance of delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective water to customers. He believes that this plan achieves all three objectives by utilizing resources wisely, leveraging existing infrastructure, and prioritizing customer needs.

This shift to groundwater will take place after the City of Evansville and the Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) formalized the financing plan for the project last week. With this new approach in place, Evansville is taking a step towards a more sustainable and cost-effective water system that will benefit its residents for generations to come.

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