DigIndy Project Will Soon Begin Reducing Public Health Threat
INDIANAPOLIS – – With the 3.5 inches of rain Central Indiana received over the past 24 hours, Citizens Energy Group is warning the public to stay away from area waterways due to raw sewage overflows.
The combined storm and wastewater sewer system in Marion County overflows into area waterways when as little as one quarter of an inch of rain falls. The 3.5 inches of rain that fell since yesterday caused about 700 million gallons of raw sewage to overflow into the White River and tributaries such as Fall Creek. Raw sewage contains dangerous bacteria such as E-coli, which can cause serious illness.
The DigIndy Project, a 28-mile network of underground tunnels now under construction, will nearly eliminate sewer overflows in Marion County by the year 2025. The first 9 miles of the tunnel system will open later this year and begin preventing nearly 1 billion gallons of sewer overflows annually.
“We look forward to nearly eliminating all sewer overflows on the White River and Eagle Creek south of downtown Indianapolis later this year when the first sections of DigIndy open. When the system is complete in 2025, water quality in area waterways will be restored to levels not seen in 100 years,” said Jeffrey Harrison, President & CEO of Citizens Energy Group.
To learn more about our infrastructure investments to improve water quality, visit DigIndyTunnel.
About Citizens Energy Group
Citizens Energy Group provides safe and reliable utility services to about 900,000 people in the Indianapolis area. Citizens operates its utilities for the benefit of customers and the community.
Media Contact Information
Daniel Considine
Phone: 317-519-1515
Email: media@citizensenergygroup.com