Earlier this month, Governor Holcomb joined the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler to announce a $436 million Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) loan to be used to help finance 23 wastewater and drinking water projects across the state. State Senator Lonnie Randolph (D-East Chicago) sent a letter to the governor urging him to include East Chicago and Hammond, two Northwest Indiana cities suffering from ongoing lead issues, to the list of municipalities receiving funding for water infrastructure overhaul.
“Water is one of the most important natural resources, and the task of ensuring that the water in our state is safe for Hoosiers has been neglected by public officials for too long. I am very happy that the governor has recognized this by announcing a $436 million dollar EPA loan to support overhauling our statewide water infrastructure.
“However, one of the cities not included in his list was the City of East Chicago. As everyone can recall, we had a major lead and arsenic contamination issue in the water and soil in our homes and schools. Our neighbors in Hammond have also experienced similar issues with lead contamination.
“It is my hope that the governor will reevaluate our water issue and amend his project selection to include East Chicago and Hammond in the list of cities to have their water infrastructure overhauled.”
Randolph represents Indiana Senate District 2 which encompasses portions of Lake County, including the communities of East Chicago, Whiting, and portions of Gary, Griffith, Hammond, Hobart and Merrillville. For more information on Randolph, his legislative agenda or other State Senate business call 1-800-382-9467 or visit www.IN.gov/s2.
