However, most of Indiana’s waterways struggle with sediment runoff, excess nutrients such as phosphorus, and even infectious bacteria such as E. coli. HEC is working to protect Indiana’s water resources by focusing on the greatest threats to Indiana’s drinking water, rivers and lakes.
Indiana faces many challenges to water quality: nutrient pollution, manure runoff, excess sediment, inadequate sewage treatment, industrial contamination, and loss of wetlands.
Challenges to the state’s water quality are also challenges to drinking water safety. Approximately 75% of Hoosiers get their drinking water from a public drinking water system. The other 25% use their own wells. Well owners are responsible for the safety of their water and should test it regularly. Our public drinking water systems source their water from Indiana’s rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater so they are sensitive to pollution problems. In a 2015 survey, 80% of Indiana drinking water utilities said they had had trouble with poor quality source water.
Testing of water quality in lakes and rivers by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) show that our most prevalent challenge is high levels of E coli, which are bacteria from animal and human feces. IDEM estimates that the biggest sources are livestock operations and inadequate treatment of human sewage.
Indiana has a long history of industries leaving behind contaminated sites and contaminated groundwater. Smaller businesses like dry cleaners and gas stations have also been a significant source of groundwater contamination.
Indiana is a water-rich state and originally had wetlands covering 24% of its acreage. Wetlands can store up to 1.5 million gallons of water per acre. That storage reduces the risk of flooding. While the water is stored, wetlands purify it and allow it soak in to recharge the groundwater. Indiana has lost more than 85% of its original wetlands. As climate change brings more precipitation to Indiana, it is critical to protect the remaining wetlands. In 2022, the Indiana Wetland Task Force is working through its charge from the legislature to arrive at recommendations for Indiana wetland policy. HEC submitted comments to the Wetland Task Force in June 2022. Learn more and see recorded webinars about Indiana’s Isolated Wetlands.
The Hoosier Environmental Council is one of the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust’s Partners for the White River. HEC’s work in this partnership is focused on the Upper White River watershed in central Indiana and includes our work to
See HEC’s statewide work on
HEC’s work on wetland protection and water policy receives generous support from the Herbert Simon Family Foundation.
In Indiana
of our waterways are impaired.
In Indiana
lake acres are impaired by harmful algal growth.
Indiana has lost at least
of its wetlands since 1780.
Every year communities and organizations across Indiana gather for river clean up events. Organize with a club or group and join in. The events are a great way to meet people, raise awareness and educate others. Plus, you’re outside enjoying time with family and friends.
Go phosphorus-free. It is estimated that just one pound of phosphorus in the water will produce 500 pounds of blue-green algae. Much of the phosphorus (phosphate) you apply actually runs off the lawn before penetrating the soil. That means it gets into the lakes and streams contributing to the blue-green algae bloom and growth of other undesirable aquatic plants.
