A legislative study committee is meeting Tuesday to begin discussions on developing a statewide water plan.
The meeting comes after the Indiana Chamber of Commerce released a study detailing the critical need for a state-driven water resource plan.
Researchers say the state's water supplies are strong but greater conservation and a system to deliver that water to underserved areas is necessary.
Senator Ed Charbonneau, R-Valparaiso, says the first step in developing a plan is gathering data, which is why he authored a bill last session requiring the legislature to study the issue.
Charbonneau says getting information before next session is important.
"This is the two year budget writing session and if we miss the ball right now we may be waiting two more years before we get anything done," he says.
Still, Charbonneau says crafting a comprehensive water plan for the whole state will have to be a long and slow process.
"I don't think we should be jumping out, doing things just to make it look like we're doing things when big picture-wise, long term-wise they don't make sense," he says.
The study committee that meets Tuesday will hear from environmental experts, utilities, researchers and local government officials.