A Community Awakens: How Alexandria Indiana Water Sparked a Local Movement

In recent weeks, the town of Alexandria, Indiana has found itself at the center of a water crisis that few could have predicted—but many now refuse to ignore. Confirmed E. coli contamination, chlorine levels far below legal safety limits, and the hospitalization of a child have thrown the town into turmoil. What was once taken for granted—safe drinking water—has now become a catalyst for local activism, with many asking whether Alexandria Indiana Water can help fuel lasting change in a community demanding answers.

The breaking point came when citizen-led chlorine testing revealed startlingly low levels—some as low as 0.029 ppm—far below the 0.2 ppm minimum required for safe disinfection. One of the most damning pieces of evidence came from a video showing an IDEM official confirming a 0.09 ppm chlorine reading at a residence that had tested positive for E. coli. That same week, a child was hospitalized due to suspected waterborne illness.

Despite the evidence, Mayor Todd Naselroad assured the public in a July 25 statement that Alexandria’s water was “safe and drinkable.” This denial of the growing crisis provoked outrage, especially among parents, healthcare workers, and activists who were already raising red flags.

In response, the Concerned Citizens of Alexandria issued an urgent public statement on July 30, outlining three core demands:

• Immediate and full access to all water testing and chlorine records

• A formal audit of city financial practices by the Indiana State Board of Accounts

• A total leadership restructuring within the Alexandria Indiana Water Department

The group also released a comprehensive dossier that included lab reports, internal emails, infrastructure contracts, and video documentation. Their investigation uncovered more than just health risks—it revealed a questionable financial trail. While the city approved a $1.05 million infrastructure project, total spending related to it exceeded $2.3 million. These additional costs, labeled as “planning and oversight,” were divided across the water, sewer, stormwater, and road funds, prompting concerns of potential fiscal mismanagement.

But what’s truly remarkable about this crisis is how the citizens have responded.

Social media pages now serve as real-time alert systems. Volunteers are distributing bottled water to vulnerable residents. Parents are organizing at schools to push for safe hydration options for children. Public meetings, once sparsely attended, are now standing-room only.

Some locals have even started referring to their efforts as the “Water Watch,” a loosely coordinated but fiercely committed network of residents collecting data, demanding transparency, and preparing legal action. For many, this movement isn’t just about fixing water quality—it’s about reclaiming a voice in how their town is run.

Still, the crisis is far from over. Without transparent leadership and independent verification of safe water conditions, most Alexandria residents continue to boil their water, question their city officials, and push forward with their activism.

The events of the past month have changed Alexandria forever. And until reforms are made and justice is served, Alexandria Indiana Water will remain a rallying cry—for safety, for accountability, and for the power of a united community.