Carmel, Indiana

History of Carmel Utilities

Carmel Water:

The Carmel water system was started in 1929 with a single well and limited distribution system. As the system grew, additional wells were added in 1946, 1953, 1965, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1977, 1987, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2007. Today the system has 20 wells providing raw water to three treatment facilities.

The first water treatment plant was built in 1964. Continued growth required the expansion of the first plant in 1965 to 1.0 million gallons per day (MGD), construction of a second plant in 1971 with expansion to 3.0 MGD in 1975 and the purchase of a third 2.0 MGD plant in 1981. The fourth plant went on line in 1995.

In April 2002 the Utility purchased 2,300 customers from Hamilton Western Utility.

In June 2006 the Utility purchased 8,300 residential customers and some commercial customers from Indianapolis.

Treatment in all plants includes iron removal, softening, disinfection and fluoridation.

With internal usage the system currently can produce approximately 22 MGD for distribution.

From its limited distribution system in 1929 the system has grown to approximately 975 miles of water main serving over 25,000 customers.

Household Hazardous Waste & Recycling:

The Carmel Household Hazardous Waste Collection Site opened in 1998 at its current location off of North Rangeline Road.

Use of the sites services increased yearly from drop off items measured at only 19,760 items in 1999 to over 67 tons in 2007.

In 2007 a recycling station was added to the location accepting 1&2 plastics, paper, and aluminum, glass,