IndianapolisTunnel Storage System

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• Meetfederallymandatedconsentdecreeandlongtermcontrolplangoals

• CapturerawsewageoverflowsfromFallCreekandWhiteRiver

• Storesewageduringandafterwetweather,andtransportittowastewatertreatmentplants

• Improvewaterqualityandprotectpublichealth

• Improveenergyefficiencyofoperationsforreducedlong-termenvironmentalimpacts

Project BenefitsIn the older neighborhoods of Indianapolis, even a light rain storm can cause raw sewage to overflow and pollute our waterways. Citizens Water is working to reduce raw sewage overflows into neighborhood streams. The backbone of Citizens Water’s plan is the Indianapolis Tunnel Storage System.

The overall tunnel system will extend along Fall Creek, White River, Pogues Run, Pleasant Run and Bean Creek to create a collective, underground storage and transport facility for sewage. All sewage stored and transported in the tunnel system is sewage that otherwise could have gone directly into our waterways. The tunnel system is a component of the federally-mandated plan to reduce raw sewage overflows into our waterways.

At 200 feet below ground, the tunnel system will store 250 million gallons of sewage during and after wet weather, and then slowly release the sewage to the wastewater treatment plant when capacity becomes available. When the project is complete, sewage overflows into Indianapolis waterways will be significantly reduced, and water quality will be improved.

The tunnel system will be built in bedrock below the city using a piece of specialized equipment called a tunnel boring machine. After the machine bores the tunnel, a tunnel lining will be installed. The lining will help keep groundwater out and keep sewage in the tunnel. By using deep tunnel technology, disturbances to neighborhoods along the project route will be reduced.

The Indianapolis Tunnel Storage System will extend approximately 25 miles, beginning near the Indiana State Fairgrounds on the north and running near Fall Creek and the White River. From the river, the tunnel will follow Harding Street to Banta Road and end at the Southport Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant on the south side of Indianapolis. Tunnels will also be constructed in the downtown area and along Pleasant Run from the White River to near Ellenberger Park on the east side

12/20/2011

A tunneling machine will be used to construct the Indianapolis Tunnel Storage System.

Photo courtesy Herrenknecht

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The completed tunnel will extend approximately 25 miles, beginning near the Indiana State Fairgrounds on the north and ending on the south side of Indianapolis.

of Indianapolis. The exact route of the tunnel storage system will be determined during project design and will continue to be refined to ensure long-term environmental and economic benefits.

The Deep Rock Tunnel Connector will serve as the first phase of the Indianapolis Tunnel Storage System. Improvements to the first phase resulted in modifications to later project phases and revealed the potential for significant cost

savings. The Deep Rock Tunnel Connector will be installed with a larger diameter pipe than the original plan called for, and since there will be more capacity for sewage in the first phase, later phases of tunnel system can be downsized.

Construction of the deep tunnel began in 2011 and will take 14 years to complete. Visit www.citizenswater.com for more information.