The award will be used to combat algal blooms which have been a consistent issue in bodies of water, due to changes in water temperature, as well as heavy rainfall and nutrient runoff.

The utility with about 302,000 Indiana customers is seeking a nearly 17 percent rate increase to help pay for more than $542 million of infrastructure investments.

The Michindoh Aquifer is a prominent source of water for the corners of the three states -- Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

Experts estimate improvements to the state's water infrastructure will cost billions of dollars - and most of that would come from Indiana residents.

Since ORSANCO announced it would consider removing its pollution control standards, the commission received more than 5,000 comments in opposition. As a result, committee members say they need more time to review the decision

Young says HUD already oversees lead paint remediation in homes paid for with federal assistance.

The EPA says partial replacement doesn't reduce lead contamination and can sometimes make it worse.

An organization that represents states in the Great Lakes region says governments should push harder to protect water quality through use of "green infrastructure."

Algae doesn't seem to be contaminating Indiana's drinking water as much as it is in other states. Some of the state's success could also be attributed to farmers who keep fertilizers and other nutrients from feeding algal blooms.

The state Water Infrastructure Task Force is looking into things like how growing populations and businesses will share water as well as replacing aging water lines and septic systems.