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.

Valparaiso tests water often to ensure purity

VALPARAISO | Testing to make sure the city's water supply is safe and meets all the state and federal standards is a full-time job. Literally.

States squaring off over water 'haves,' 'have-nots'

Water fights used to be a fun thing to do on hot summer days. These days, they are deadly serious and can go all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Flooded roads, swollen rivers, lightning strikes as storms sock region

The water level at Lake George in Hobart's downtown has risen dramatically from the recent heavy rain.

Just clean lines instead of raising water tower

I see everyone complaining about the water in Lake Station. I believe we were set up to borrow money to fix the problem. The city government did not clean the towers or flush the water hydrants for five years.

Kouts plans to enhance its small-town charm

The Kouts water tower stands tall over the downtown. Kouts officials are planning a new town well at a separate site.

Expert: Water access will drive Indiana's economy

HAMMOND | A water expert believes Indiana is uniquely poised to attract development because of the state's abundant water supplies, but lawmakers need a plan to ensure the resource is promoted.

Valparaiso's Costas bullish on city's future

Tyler Adams, 6, of Hebron, plays at Valparaiso's Central Park Plaza splash pad while temperatures soar in the mid-90s last June.

New Chicago kicks off water upgrades

Lauri Robbins, town council president in New Chicago, speaks Saturday morning during a groundbreaking ceremony for the town's water system improvement project. The first phase of the $6 million effort includes replacing more than five miles of new water mains, services, valves and fire hydrants.

New Chicago kicks off water upgrades

New Chicago officials don hard hats as they prepare to break ground for a $6 million water system improvement project.

New Chicago kicks off water upgrades

New Chicago launched its water system improvement project Saturday morning with a groundbreaking ceremony near the water tower on Cleveland Avenue. The first phase of the project represents a $6 million effort to upgrade the town's aging water distribution system. It includes rehabilitating …

Visitor spending means big business in NWI

A lifeguard at Deep River Waterpark watches over swimmers in the wave pool last August.

Lake Station water boil advisory lifted after break repaired

LAKE STATION | The city's water boil advisory has been lifted, officials said Monday.

Hammond, Chicago Heights want more time in water case

HAMMOND | Hammond and Chicago Heights are asking for more time to file a motion to dismiss a lawsuit addressing the Illinois community's water rate, federal court records show.

Chicago River flows through history

The fate of the Chicago River sounds precarious, with drought conditions and a potential carp invasion on the horizon. But the city and state plan to make the river clean enough to swim in by 2016. The future builds on the critical role that the waterway played in Chicago's history.

Cost of water varies widely throughout Calumet Region

The amount region residents pay for water flowing from their faucets varies widely between communities, a Times analysis shows.

Cost of water varies widely throughout Calumet Region

Water is filtered at the water pumping site in Valparaiso on Thursday.

Cost of water varies widely throughout Calumet Region

Lab technician Craig Wisthoff demonstrates how to perform a pH test on a water sample Thursday at the Crown Point Water Facility. Crown Point recently increased its water rates in response to a rate increase by its water provider, Indiana American Water Co. An analysis of municipal water rat…

Cost of water varies widely throughout Calumet Region

Water treatment operator Jonny Olszewski tests water Thursday at the water pumping site in Valparaiso. The department tests water for such things as hardness and alkalinity. An analysis of municipal water rates by The Times found vast differences in what region residents pay for water.

Cost of water varies widely throughout Calumet Region

Lab technician Craig Wisthoff records lab results Thursday at the Crown Point Water Facility. Wisthoff obtains water samples from all over Crown Point and tests them for hardness, alkalinity, pH and fluoride levels. Crown Point, which purchases water from Indiana American Water Co., recently…