IEDC promises to let university researchers review a study aimed at taking Tippecanoe Co. water. Purdue prof Marty Frisbee tells what it will take for the science to tell him any of it makes sense
Again, watch the movie "There Will Be Blood." Hold for the milkshake scene. There's lots of terrific reporting via the Q&A format here. I appreciate the note about how hydrology conditions differ from place to place. I also think it's crucial, here, to note that we cannot control at what rate the aquifer is replenished, if at all. We can't even predict it. The only thing we can control is how much we remove. If the extraction is related to development, the simple answer is, as learned in California and Arizona, don't make a deal with the water devil. Don't allow water-hungry development in places without enough water. We don't produce water. We cross our fingers and hope it's there when we need it.
To emphasize Brian's words - " If the extraction is related to development, the simple answer is, as learned in California and Arizona, don't make a deal with the water devil. **Don't allow water-hungry development in places without enough water.** We don't produce water. We cross our fingers and hope it's there when we need it."
"And the IEDC has made statements that they don't understand why the public doesn't trust them. " Hmmm, wonder why? A lack of transparency? Signing contracts for pipeline designs BEFORE determining taking all that water won't devastate Tippecanoe County and everyone downstream? Not even talking to the people or the local politicians before they went far, far down this path?
"it would be better if you want to gain the public’s confidence to run some of these tests during the growing season, when water demand is higher." OR, run tests for the next five or ten YEARS to find out what would happen.
"The first round of tests had INTERA and the IEDC touting wells that could pump upwards of 45 million gallons a day without hurting the aquifer in Tippecanoe County. " There is NOTHING in anything I have read from INTERA that says they even considered "hurting" the aquifers in Tippecanoe County. They have cheerfully reported that there is plenty of water, but have not commented AT ALL on what that kind of pumping would do to the county, its wells, or the aquifer. If I'm wrong, please point me in the right direction. But I have not seen them even ask that question. Not once.
Again, watch the movie "There Will Be Blood." Hold for the milkshake scene. There's lots of terrific reporting via the Q&A format here. I appreciate the note about how hydrology conditions differ from place to place. I also think it's crucial, here, to note that we cannot control at what rate the aquifer is replenished, if at all. We can't even predict it. The only thing we can control is how much we remove. If the extraction is related to development, the simple answer is, as learned in California and Arizona, don't make a deal with the water devil. Don't allow water-hungry development in places without enough water. We don't produce water. We cross our fingers and hope it's there when we need it.
To emphasize Brian's words - " If the extraction is related to development, the simple answer is, as learned in California and Arizona, don't make a deal with the water devil. **Don't allow water-hungry development in places without enough water.** We don't produce water. We cross our fingers and hope it's there when we need it."
Appreciate Prof Frisbee using "lie" and "lying" about lies and lying.
Excellent reporting Dave Bangert. Thanks to Prof. Frisbey for explaining how this works to the layperson.
Excellent reporting. We are fortunate to have Purdue expertise AND to have Dave Bangert to get the word out!
"And the IEDC has made statements that they don't understand why the public doesn't trust them. " Hmmm, wonder why? A lack of transparency? Signing contracts for pipeline designs BEFORE determining taking all that water won't devastate Tippecanoe County and everyone downstream? Not even talking to the people or the local politicians before they went far, far down this path?
"it would be better if you want to gain the public’s confidence to run some of these tests during the growing season, when water demand is higher." OR, run tests for the next five or ten YEARS to find out what would happen.
"The first round of tests had INTERA and the IEDC touting wells that could pump upwards of 45 million gallons a day without hurting the aquifer in Tippecanoe County. " There is NOTHING in anything I have read from INTERA that says they even considered "hurting" the aquifers in Tippecanoe County. They have cheerfully reported that there is plenty of water, but have not commented AT ALL on what that kind of pumping would do to the county, its wells, or the aquifer. If I'm wrong, please point me in the right direction. But I have not seen them even ask that question. Not once.
Thanks for this in-depth reporting. As always, you’re the best source of information on these complex issues.
Thank-you for keeping this issue in the press. I appreciate it. Educating Hoosiers about the LEAP pipeline is most of the battle.
EXCELLENT reporting, Dave! Thank you for following this CRITICAL environmental disaster in the making!
Outstanding article. Comprehensive, yet in language that the public can understand. Kudos to both Professor Frisbee and yourself.
Excellent analogy. Now all the sports fans understand.
A-plus reporting and story. Thank you, Dave.