Blueprint America: Public Works is an effort by 18 public television stations across the country to support and report on issues of sustainability, smart growth, and infrastructure. Today, Blueprint America checks in on progress in three states: Illinois, North Carolina, and Indiana. In Indiana, a flawed water system is under the microscope. In North Carolina, development is examined for how it can best serve both the environment and its inhabitants. In Illinois, a city pushes forward a sustainability agenda.

Rick Karr, Blueprint America correspondent, writes about his work so far on the PBS infrastructure project.