Conclusion

Indiana has the natural water infrastructure needed to meet our needs and more: our water resource can in many ways enable the state to compete effectively for the other resources we want. The resource is so good that it has masked our failure to care for and invest in it.  

The Steering Committee that guided the preparation of this Report did not come to the task with pre-conceptions. After many hours of work, it concluded that the time has come for Indiana to make a new investment in the state’s waters. We need good data, a focused state and regional effort at stewardship, a renewed commitment to address water pollution, and a fresh appreciation of the scope and quality of our state’s fresh water. 

The money it will take to do what we need to do is an investment in preserving valuable capital rather than an expense. It is an investment we recommend that the state make soon. 

Now would be best.