Planning Ahead: Mishawaka’s Water System Built to Protect Our Future

Planning Ahead: Mishawaka’s Water System Built to Protect Our Future
By Matt Lentsch

A recent story out of Goshen has brought renewed attention to the critical importance of safe, reliable water infrastructure in our communities. Goshen officials are now seeking a $68 million loan to construct a new water treatment plant after discovering chemical contamination in their water supply—specifically, the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are known for their environmental persistence and health concerns.

While we wish Goshen the very best in addressing this urgent challenge, the situation offers a powerful reminder of why proactive planning, long-term investment, and local leadership matter.

Here in Mishawaka, we’ve taken a very different path—by planning ahead. Thanks to the vision and commitment of our City leadership and Utilities team, Mishawaka is already equipped with a state-of-the-art, $40 million water treatment facility and wellfield at Juday Creek. Completed in 2024 after more than a decade of planning and development, this facility was designed with safety, sustainability, and future growth in mind.

The Juday Creek facility treats up to 8.2 million gallons of water per day (expandable to 15 MGD), drawing from a protected and professionally monitored groundwater source. Our team of licensed operators performs more than 25,000 water quality tests annually, ensuring compliance with all EPA and IDEM standards—not just meeting the minimums, but exceeding them.

We built this plant not just for today, but for the next generation. It’s equipped to serve Mishawaka’s current needs while also supporting future development in key corridors like Capital Avenue and surrounding areas. Every decision made—every valve, every filter, every layer of redundancy—was driven by one goal: ensuring safe, clean, and dependable water for Mishawaka residents for decades to come.

Where other communities are now being forced to react, Mishawaka is already prepared. And that’s no accident—it’s the result of smart planning, strong partnerships, and a commitment to doing what’s right for the people we serve.

We’re proud of the system we’ve built, the professionals who maintain it every day, and the peace of mind it brings to our community. Mishawaka Utilities continues to set the standard, proving once again that when we invest in infrastructure the right way, our residents reap the rewards.