Water Pollution In Indiana: Is It A Concern?

Indiana's water is part of the global hydrologic cycle, which means that water is distributed and moves between the earth's atmosphere, land, and rivers, lakes, and oceans, carrying with it any pollutants it comes into contact with. Indiana has been reported to have the most polluted rivers and streams of any state in the US, with agricultural runoff being the main culprit. However, Indiana also tests more of its waters than many other states, which may skew the data. Water quality is determined by various chemical, biological, and physical characteristics, and Indiana has established standards to protect beneficial water uses and ensure safe drinking water for its residents.

Indiana's waterways are the most polluted in the US

Indiana has the most polluted waterways in the United States, according to a 2022 report by the Environmental Integrity Project, a non-profit focused on enforcing environmental laws. The report revealed that Indiana has the most polluted rivers and streams of any state, with roughly 73% of the river and stream miles assessed being impaired. This means that these waterways are too polluted to meet standards for recreation, fish consumption, aquatic life, and drinking water. The main source of this pollution has been identified as agricultural runoff, leading to high concentrations of bacteria and the growth of harmful algae.

While the Clean Water Act of 1972 aimed to make all US waterways "fishable" and "swimmable" by 1983 and eliminate water pollution by 1985, Indiana's waters remain severely impaired. The state's waterways are part of the global hydrologic cycle, where water moves between the earth's atmosphere, land, and rivers, carrying pollutants and disease-causing organisms. Indiana's water pollution has significant impacts, as 90% of its waterways drain to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, affecting aquatic life in these regions.

Agricultural practices, such as a lack of cover cropping and field tilling, contribute to the high levels of bacteria, particularly E. coli, in Indiana's waterways. While incentives exist to encourage farmers to adopt practices that reduce runoff, participation remains minimal. The Indiana Farm Bureau and the Indiana Farmers Union have not commented on the role of agriculture in polluting the state's waterways. However, it is important to note that industry also plays a part in water pollution.

To address water pollution, Indiana has established water quality standards through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM). IDEM monitors water quality parameters and identifies impaired streams, which are listed in the "303(d) List of Impaired Waters." For each impaired stream, IDEM determines the maximum allowable pollution levels and develops plans to reduce both human-related and natural pollution sources. These plans aim to improve water quality and protect beneficial uses, such as recreation and drinking water supply.

IDEM's water quality standards and parameters

Water Quality Standards (WQS) are the foundation of the water quality-based control programs mandated by the Clean Water Act. IDEM has established water quality standards to protect beneficial uses. The standards, based on supporting the various beneficial uses, establish the acceptable levels or ranges for various water quality parameters, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. IDEM's monitoring programs provide most of the data used in water quality assessments. However, IDEM also solicits and reviews existing and readily available water quality data from external organizations for potential use in its 305(b) assessment and 303(d) listing processes. IDEM makes its assessments in accordance with the processes documented in the CALM (Consolidated Assessment and Listing Methodology).

The federal Clean Water Act (CWA) requires all states to develop, review, revise, and adopt WQS. WQS must include the designated uses of the waterbody, water quality criteria necessary to protect those uses, and antidegradation provisions to protect the water quality. Under the CWA, states are required to review their water quality standards every three years in a process known as the triennial review. This review is conducted to evaluate the need to update or revise the WQS to ensure that Indiana's WQS reflect the best available science and support sound water quality management policies that improve and protect the surface water resources of the state.

The Indiana Administrative Code uses the Geometric Mean as a calculation for five evenly spaced samples of E. coli over 30 days to determine compliance with the water quality standard. IDEM Watershed Management Plan (WMP) Checklist (2009) requires groups to identify targets for water quality parameters of concern. A target is defined as the desired measured level of a water quality or habitat/biological parameter that a group has decided streams in the watershed should meet. Where an Indiana Water Quality Standard or TMDL exists for a parameter of concern, the watershed group must, at a minimum, set the target to meet the respective standard or the loading limit set in the TMDL.

Much of IDEM’s surface water quality data is collected using a rotating basin approach to monitoring Indiana waters, which divides the state into nine major water management basins. One basin is monitored each year, and the data collected for that basin is analyzed the following year. IDEM also collects water quality data through other programs targeted to address specific needs such as total maximum daily load (TMDL) development. When assessments identify a waterbody as not meeting adopted water quality standards, the assessment may lead to a determination of impairment, initiating further action such as a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) or other regulatory procedure aimed at addressing the impairment.

Sources of water pollution in Indiana

Indiana's water is part of the global hydrologic cycle, which means that water moves between the earth's atmosphere, land, and rivers, lakes, and oceans, carrying with it any pollutants and disease-causing organisms. Indiana's waterways have been found to be the most polluted in the United States, with agricultural runoff being the main source of pollution.

Agricultural Runoff

Agricultural runoff from farms and fields, including both manure and fertilizers, is a significant source of water pollution in Indiana. This type of pollution, known as nonpoint source pollution, is difficult to regulate as it comes from a spread-out area rather than a specific site. Excess fertilizers, herbicides, and insecticides from agricultural lands can contaminate water bodies and lead to high concentrations of bacteria and the growth of harmful algae.

Industrial Facilities

Industrial facilities, such as the steel mill operated by Cleveland Cliffs along Lake Michigan and the Petersburg coal power plant owned by AES Indiana, have also been identified as point sources of pollution. These facilities have been known to violate their permits and release pollutants into nearby waterways.

Climate Change

Climate change, along with geology and geomorphology, influences water quality. Disturbances such as fires, windthrow, and debris flow can impact stream temperature, turbidity, and other water quality parameters.

Coal Ash

The state of Indiana has been criticized for allowing coal ash to pollute its waters through the permits it approves.

To address water pollution in Indiana, the Office of Water Quality (OWQ) works to monitor, protect, and improve water quality. IDEM (Indiana Department of Environmental Management) has also established water quality standards and developed TMDL plans to limit pollution and protect beneficial water uses.

Indiana's water testing standards

Indiana's water quality standards (WQS) are based on the foundation of the water quality-based control programs mandated by the Clean Water Act. The Indiana Administrative Code (IAC) outlines the WQS in Title 327, Article 2, and the implementation procedures, such as the development of water quality-based effluent limitations (WQBELs), in Article 5.

The WQS consist of numeric or narrative criteria for specific physical or chemical parameters, serving as regulatory targets for permitting, compliance, enforcement, and monitoring the state's water quality. The Office of Water Quality (OWQ) is responsible for monitoring, protecting, and improving Indiana's water quality to ensure its continued use for drinking, wildlife habitat, recreation, and economic activities.

Indiana's WQS cover a range of water sources, including streams and other water bodies. IDEM and other organizations monitor water quality parameters to identify any impairments. If a water body fails to meet the standards, it is listed as "water quality impaired" on the "303(d) List of Impaired Waters." IDEM then establishes the total maximum daily load (TMDL) for each parameter, limiting pollution from both human-related and natural sources.

To address water pollution, Indiana implements the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission Pollution Control Standards (ORSANCO Standards) for the main stem of the Ohio River. These standards include an aquatic life methodology that aligns with Indiana's methodology for waters within the Great Lakes system. Additionally, Indiana develops WQBELs to protect aquatic life, human health, and wildlife for waters without specific water quality criteria.

Indiana is required to review its WQS every three years through the triennial review process, ensuring that the standards reflect the latest scientific advancements and support effective water quality management policies. This process helps protect and improve the state's surface water resources.

The Clean Water Act and Indiana's progress

Indiana has approximately 25,000 miles of rivers and streams that are too polluted for swimming, making it the state with the most polluted waterways in the US. The main sources of this pollution are bacteria and nutrients, with the primary source being agriculture. The Environmental Integrity Project, a non-profit focused on enforcing environmental laws, has revealed that Indiana is far from achieving its goal of clean water.

The Clean Water Act was passed by Congress on October 18, 1972, to establish a nationwide approach to improving the quality of the nation's lakes, rivers, streams, and other bodies of water. The Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with states, tribes, and territories, to monitor the quality of these water bodies and to list and address those impaired by pollutants. While the Clean Water Act has helped build wastewater treatment plants and address sewer overflows, it has weak to non-existent controls for regulating nonpoint source pollution, which is a major threat to water quality in Indiana. Nonpoint source pollution, such as stormwater runoff and agricultural runoff, can lead to high concentrations of bacteria and the growth of harmful algae.

To address water pollution in Indiana, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) has established water quality standards to protect beneficial uses of water. IDEM monitors water quality parameters in streams and other water bodies throughout the state, and lists those that do not meet the standards as "water quality impaired" on the "303(d) List of Impaired Waters." For each impaired stream, IDEM determines the total maximum daily load (TMDL) allowable for various parameters such as temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH. TMDL plans consider both human-related and natural pollution sources, and streams can be delisted once they meet the water quality standards.

While Indiana has made strides in improving water quality through the implementation of TMDL plans, more action is needed to address nonpoint source pollution, specifically agricultural runoff. The Clean Water Act may need to be strengthened to better regulate these sources of pollution and protect Indiana's waterways.

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