Residents Near Eagle Creek Protest Proposed LEAP Pipeline

Locals voice concerns over environmental impact and lack of transparency around the water supply project.

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Concerned residents gathered near Eagle Creek in Indianapolis to protest the proposed LEAP water project, which would pull water from Eagle Creek and pump treated wastewater from the LEAP industrial site in Lebanon back into the reservoir. Locals say they are worried about the environmental impact of the project and the lack of transparency around its details.

Why it matters

The LEAP pipeline project has sparked backlash from the community due to fears over potential environmental damage to the Eagle Creek watershed and a perceived lack of public input on the plan. Residents are concerned the project could disrupt the local ecosystem and water supply without adequate oversight or mitigation efforts.

The details

The Citizens Energy and Lebanon Utilities Water Supply program would extract water from Eagle Creek and then pump treated wastewater from the LEAP industrial site back into the Eagle Creek Reservoir. Residents argue this could have negative impacts on the local environment and are calling for more transparency from officials about the project's scope and potential risks.

  • The protest against the LEAP pipeline took place on February 28, 2026.

The players

Citizens Energy

A utility company partnering with Lebanon Utilities on the LEAP water supply project.

Lebanon Utilities

A municipal water utility also involved in the proposed LEAP pipeline.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Local officials have stated they will hold a public hearing on the LEAP pipeline proposal in the coming weeks to address residents' concerns.

The takeaway

This protest highlights the ongoing tensions between development projects and environmental protection, underscoring the need for robust community engagement and thorough impact assessments before major infrastructure initiatives are approved.