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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management's (IDEM's) Hoosier Water Guardian program recognizes communities that take voluntary measures beyond regulatory requirements to preserve and protect the state's valuable water resources. Bruno Pigott, assistant commissioner of the IDEM Office of Water Quality, presented the "Hoosier Water Guardian Award with Distinction" to the City of Carmel during a ceremony at the Indiana Section of the American Water Works Association Conference at the Indianapolis Marriot on February 17.
"The City of Carmel has taken important steps toward protecting water quality," said Pigott.

Carmel serves approximately 44,000 customers in Hamilton County, just north of the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The city depends entirely on ground water for drinking water, making conservation an important priority.

Educational programs focusing on conservation have been created, with July declared as Smart Irrigation month. A permanent facility for recycling was established, with an emphasis on proper disposal of household hazardous wastes. Finally, the utility has worked to identify and clean up dump sites, protecting water quality.
The City of Carmel was one of eight facilities to be honored with the Hoosier Water Guardian Award.

"These eight facilities have made the choice to enhance the protection of drinking water sources, and by extension, the health of their residents," said Thomas Easterly, IDEM commissioner. "These actions require extraordinary dedication, and the combined efforts of citizens, businesses and local governments."
IDEM encourages citizens to help protect ground water resources through activities such as following label instructions when using lawn fertilizers and chemicals, ensuring that household chemicals are properly disposed of, and properly managing solid waste.

For information about the Indiana Hoosier Water Guardian program, visit www.idem.IN.gov/4296.htm.

Other communities honored were the Federal Corrections Center, Terre Haute; Muncie operated by Indiana American Water; Jamestown Municipal Water; Kokomo operated by Indiana American Water; The City of Ligonier; Mooresville operated by Indiana American Water; and, Southern Indiana, Jeffersonville operated by Indiana American Water.

Jaimie Foreman, City of Carmel (left), accepts the Hoosier Water Guardian award from Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) Assistant Commissioner Bruno Pigott at the American Water Works Association Conference in Indianapolis. Eight water facilities were recognized by IDEM for taking voluntary measures to protect water quality.

About IDEM
IDEM (www.idem.IN.gov) implements federal and state regulations regarding the environment. Through compliance assistance, incentive programs and educational outreach, the agency encourages and aids business and citizens in protecting Hoosiers and our environment.

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