A Tale of Two Approaches: Mishawaka Utilities Water vs. County-Managed Systems

A Tale of Two Approaches: Mishawaka Utilities Water vs. County-Managed Systems
By Matt Lentsch

When it comes to providing clean, reliable, and sustainable water service, the City of Mishawaka—through Mishawaka Utilities Water Division (MUW)—has a proud and proven track record. For more than a century, since 1903, MUW has served the residents of Mishawaka with a level of dedication, oversight, and planning that has made our community a model for water system management.

In sharp contrast, there have been a number of troubling examples where county-managed or county-approved water and sewer systems have failed to meet even the basic expectations of the residents they were meant to serve.

A prime example is the situation in the Wedgewood Park Subdivision. In that case, the County allowed a private entity, Wedgewood Park Water Utility—similar to other private providers like Granger Water Utility, LLC—to provide drinking water to approximately 200 residents. With limited oversight and a lack of proper maintenance, Wedgewood residents routinely found themselves without water for extended periods. Boil-water advisories were a regular occurrence due to frequent pump failures, poor water pressure, and water line breaks caused by insufficient line depth and protection. Eventually, the system was sold to Aqua Indiana, Inc., and water was imported from Niles, Michigan, just to stabilize the basic supply needs.

This isn’t an isolated case. Other serious failures have occurred, such as the contamination incidents in the Gaylen Meyers area, the Juday Creek Subdivision, and sewer issues in the Creston Hills Subdivision. In each of these cases, residents paid the price for a lack of planning, accountability, and sustainable investment.

By contrast, Mishawaka Utilities has always taken a comprehensive, long-term approach to water infrastructure. Through continual reinvestment in our wells, treatment facilities, and distribution systems—and through proactive leadership and planning—MUW has provided Mishawaka residents with consistent access to clean, safe water without the constant worry that many neighboring areas have experienced.

The recent completion of the Juday Creek Water Treatment Plant and six new wells is just the latest example of that commitment. With state-of-the-art technology and the foresight to accommodate future growth, Mishawaka is not only meeting today’s needs but preparing for generations to come.

The difference between these approaches couldn’t be clearer. Mishawaka Utilities Water Division’s leadership and investment have earned the trust of our community, while repeated failures elsewhere serve as a cautionary tale. Without strong oversight, without dedicated investment, and without long-term vision, history shows us that problems aren’t just possible—they’re likely.

At the end of the day, water isn’t just about infrastructure; it’s about people. It’s about families turning on the tap and knowing they can trust what comes out. It’s about communities growing because the fundamentals are strong. Mishawaka has understood that for over 120 years—and thanks to continued leadership, we’ll be ready for the next 120 as well.