Over the past several months, KNS has been covering local and regional news. Kevin Keith has been training me on being a nose to the ground, fact based journalist. He assigned me the email traffic in answering inquiries that come in. We recently received three questions about the LEAP project in Lebanon and the Tippecanoe County elected officials possibly installing a moratorium for another year on sharing water. I took the questions, dug for answers and asked Kevin if it could be my first official news story. He said yes. So here is Q&A with KNS on the Tippecanoe county water moratorium.
Cindy Miller
August 28,2025
Q1: What impact would a LEAP pipeline have had on Tippecanoe County’s water supply if it had gone forward?
If the LEAP pipeline had been approved, it could have dramatically altered groundwater levels in the Granville aquifer system. The proposed pumping of up to 100 million gallons per day risked lowering water tables, potentially affecting residential wells, municipal supplies, and ecosystems along the Wabash River. Local officials feared long-term consequences for both drinking water security and agricultural needs.
Q2: Why are radial collector wells such a concern compared to standard wells?
Radial collector wells are designed with horizontal screens that draw water from a much broader underground area. This design makes them capable of pulling in far greater volumes than standard vertical wells. While efficient for large-scale industrial or municipal uses, they can deplete aquifers much faster and alter underground hydrology. This makes them particularly controversial when paired with water-export projects.
Q3: Could the moratorium face legal challenges from developers or state agencies?
Yes, it’s possible. While counties have the authority to regulate land use and issue permits, water rights are often a shared jurisdiction between local, state, and federal authorities. Developers or the state could argue that such moratoriums conflict with economic development priorities or broader water management policies. However, with recent legislation and the governor’s position opposing inter-watershed transfers, the county’s stance is currently on solid political footing.