By: Susie

Every two years, Indiana is required to update its list of impaired waters in the state in accordance with the federal Clean Water Act. That list is currently underway, and citizens, organizations, universities, business, and others are invited to review the proposed listing of impaired waterways and submit public comments. 

All public comments received by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) will be submitted to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of the 2026 Integrated Report (IR), which reports on significant findings related to Indiana’s water quality. 

IDEM has previously received little or no comments during this process. Let’s change that!

When is the public comment period open?

The public comment period runs from February 5, 2026 to March 21, 2026.

What should I include in my public comment?

Comments on individual waterbodies, specific impairments, or IDEM’s assessment methodology will be the most useful in helping IDEM create the 2026 303(d) Impaired Water List and IR. However, IDEM is accepting all comments related to water quality, including your water quality concerns.

For concerned citizens: You can use our easy messaging system, but we encourage personal messages and stories related to your concerns about Indiana’s water quality and water pollution. This could be related to emerging development threats and specific pollutants. If you have data, submit that too!

For organizations, universities, and those with water quality data: If you’ve collected data on Indiana’s water quality, we encourage you to submit that data to IDEM for consideration in the final report. 

For more information on what to include in your comments, visit the public comment notice and IDEM’s Section 303(d) List of Impaired Waters webpage.

How do I submit a public comment?

  • Submit by email to pmcmurra@idem.IN.gov. 
  • Hand deliver to the receptionist on duty at the IDEM Shadeland office reception desk, Suite 100, Western Select Building, 2525 North Shadeland Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana.
  • Submit by mail using the following address:

Subject Line: 2026 Draft 303(d) List of Impaired Waters

Paul McMurray – Integrated Report Coordinator

Watershed Assessment and Planning Branch

Office of Water Quality

Indiana Department of Environmental Management

100 North Senate Avenue

MC65-40-2 SHADELAND

Indianapolis, IN 46204-2251

Questions?

If you have any questions, reach out to the Integrated Report Coordinator Paul McMurray at pmcmurra@idem.IN.gov.

Useful links


Categories: Indiana Clean Water, Public Comments, Public Notices, Water & Wilderness Protection, Wetlands