Contractors learn to reduce erosion, pollution at job sites

DYER | Cleaner stormwater was the topic of a workshop this week attended by more than 100 Northwest Indiana builders and public officials.

Public hearing planned for revised BP refinery permits

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is hosting a public hearing Thursday on draft permits for BP Products North America Inc.'s Whiting Refinery.

Water company plant contractor, employees found not guilty in Gary wastewater treatment case

HAMMOND | A federal jury acquitted a former Gary wastewater treatment plant contractor and its employees Friday of charges it cheated on water testing results, an attorney for the company said.

State officials dedicate Dunes Creek daylighting project

Lisa Wolff and her children, Casey and Cole, of Crestwood, Ill., look at the Dunes Creek at the Indiana Dunes State Park on Wednesday. Officials held a ceremony marking the completion of the Dunes Creek daylighting project at the state park.

State officials dedicate Dunes Creek daylighting project

Dan Bortner, director of Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs, leads the dedication Wednesday of the Dunes Creek daylighting project at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

State officials dedicate Dunes Creek daylighting project

Dan Bortner, director of Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs cuts a ribbon Wednesday with his son Dylan after dedicating with others the Dunes Creek daylighting project.

State officials dedicate Dunes Creek daylighting project

A view of Dunes Creek on Wednesday at the Indiana Dunes State Park.

State officials dedicate Dunes Creek daylighting project

Indiana Dunes State Park officials held a ceremony Wednesday marking the completion of the Dunes Creek daylighting project.

State officials dedicate Dunes Creek daylighting project

Indiana Dunes State Park naturalist Brad Bumgardner looks at an algae wheel basin wastewater treatment plant Wednesday at the Indiana Dunes State Park. Officials celebrated the completion of the Dunes Creek Daylighting project including a wastewater treatment facility for the park.

Former wastewater supervisor charged with making false statements

HAMMOND | A Merrillville man was charged Tuesday with three counts of making a false statement under the Clean Water Act, federal court records state.

Crete to work on wastewater compliance

CRETE | The Thorn Creek Basin Sanitary District recently sent a letter to Crete saying the village is not in compliance with allowable amounts of wastewater.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Protect waterways from combined sewer overflows

Last fall, Washington, D.C. kicked off its largest public works project in more than 40 years, and we are envious. The project cuts 16 miles of underground tunnels to prevent overflow sewage and stormwater from running into the Potomac River. They understand the river is not a cesspool, but …

Public hearing Dec. 15 on BP's mercury discharge plan

The Indiana Department of Environmental Management is hosting a Dec. 15 public hearing on the draft proposal it approved for the BP Whiting Refinery to deviate from current rules on how much mercury can be in its wastewater discharge.

IDEM taking public comments on ArcelorMittal permits

The state is accepting public comments on ArcelorMittal's wastewater permit applications at four of its facilities.

BP should use ozone to treat water it discharges

Ultraviolet light produces ozone. Ozone destroys all pollution, chemicals, bacteria, viruses, disease, fungus, known and unknown, in the world. Hooray for Madison, Ind., for treating their wastewater with filtering and ozone and discharging this purified water in the Ohio River.

Beach report shows increased closing, advisory days

Highlighting a national report that beach closing and advisory days hit the second-highest level in more two decades, a local environmental group is calling for increased wastewater infrastructure.

Sanitary district might end Lake Michigan discharges

HAMMOND | The Hammond Sanitary District is considering a plan to divert 14 billion gallons of water it discharges every year away from Lake Michigan and out to farmers who could use the nutrient-laden water as a fertilizer.

Wastewater testing to be released Tuesday for refinery discharges

HAMMOND | Scientists at Purdue University Calumet and the Argonne National Laboratory will present findings of a multiyear study Tuesday on the most effective technologies to remove heavy metals from wastewater discharges into Lake Michigan.

United Water wants federal suit tossed

HAMMOND | A contractor accused of breaking federal water protection laws said it committed no crimes and was following the government's requirements.

Septic systems' role in stream contamination questioned

A lack of regulations for septic systems could be partly to blame for E. coli contamination in local waters, and officials are discussing how to solve the problem.