KATHY LUTHER: Water knows no boundaries

We use water to sustain our bodies, cook and grow our food. We use it to wash everything from clothes to toes, cars to decks. We use it to float goods to us from faraway places, and to carry away waste products. We swim, paddle and play in it.

Valpo's disinfection facility passes its first big test

VALPARAISO | The seemingly incessant rain last week provided the first test of Valparaiso's combined sewer overflow disinfection facility.

Valpo stormwater investment paying big dividends

VALPARAISO | It was a first in the 18 years Steve Poulos has worked for the city's wastewater treatment plant, and it might have been a first in the almost 60-year history of the facility.

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.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

EDITORIAL: Pooling resources improves detention basin

Valparaiso's new stormwater detention basin, currently under construction, is symbolic of the new attitude toward the environment in Northwest Indiana. Working together, environmentalists, government officials and industry can accomplish common goals.

Valpo stormwater basin hailed as model for NWI

VALPARAISO | Detention basins aren't just for temporarily storing stormwater anymore.

Sauk Village well water still safe – for now

SAUK VILLAGE | Sauk Village resident Mark Brown held up a glass jar full of thick, brownish liquid that looked like twice-cooked coffee.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Indiana's water is cleaner than it once was

We want to make sure Northwest Indiana residents receive accurate information about Indiana’s efforts to address mercury and PCBs in our waterways.

EDITORIAL: Keep working on sewer overflow problem

Valparaiso is working to end the release of untreated sewage into Salt Creek, most recently through the opening of a new combined sewer overflow disinfection facility. It's a welcome development.

When the rain comes, Valpo won't run and hide

VALPARAISO | Bring on the rain!

Valpo offers rain barrels for $20

VALPARAISO | A theoretically endless supply of free water for lawns, gardens or car washing is available to Valparaiso residents for the $20 cost of a rain barrel.

KATHY LUTHER: Become well grounded for groundwater protection

I’ve written a lot about stormwater runoff and ways to protect it. Today I’m thinking about the water underneath the ground and how the two are connected.

Gary officials giving answers for higher stormwater fees

GARY | City officials are reaching out to residents to help them understand why the fees associated with the Gary Storm Water Management District are higher this year than on tax bills in years past.

Valpo 5th-graders, VU work together to test conditions at a basin

VALPARAISO | It was the kind of science a bunch of fifth-graders really could appreciate: poking around in creek water for snails, worms and creepy-crawly things.

KATHY LUTHER: Harvest rain water for use on lawn, in garden

The old Bing Crosby standard "Pennies from Heaven" reminds us that rain falling from the sky is valuable and that clouds and showers now lead to sunshine and flowers later. The song recommends turning your umbrella upside down to catch this treasure.

Lake Station City Council schedules Thursday hearing on new stormwater fee

LAKE STATION | The City Council is poised to approve a first-time stormwater management fee, Mayor Keith Soderquist said.

KATHY LUTHER: Snow provides proof of urban runoff pollution

Are you a stormwater pollution skeptic? Do you tend to think that all the talk about runoff causing water pollution is just an urban legend designed to distract us from more important topics?

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.