{"id":129361,"date":"2026-04-02T09:00:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-02T13:00:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/?p=129361"},"modified":"2026-04-03T17:15:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T21:15:51","slug":"indiana-reports-cleaner-waterways-in-epa-data","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroundfortwayne.com\/news\/2026\/04\/02\/indiana-reports-cleaner-waterways-in-epa-data\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana reports cleaner waterways in EPA data"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Indiana Department of Environmental Management submitted new data to the U.S. EPA this week, showing measurable improvements to the state’s rivers and streams.<\/p>\n

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Indiana Department of Environmental Management news release:<\/p>\n

Indiana Reports Cleaner Waterways in Data Submitted to EPA<\/p>\n

Indianapolis, Indiana (April 2, 2026) \u2013 Underscoring Indiana’s commitment to clean water, the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) submitted new data to the U.S. EPA this week, showing measurable improvements to the state’s rivers and streams.<\/p>\n

As part of the report, IDEM reported 43,657 total miles of rivers and streams assessed through 2026, which, when adjusted for size, is more than any other state in the country. In addition Indiana reported 24.49 more miles of unimpaired rivers and streams compared to 2024.<\/p>\n

“It is important to me that we steward Indiana\u2019s natural resources responsibly,” said Gov. Mike Braun. “We have positioned Indiana as a national leader in developing a clear picture of water quality. By investing in transparent reporting and sound science, we will continue to focus resources where they\u2019re needed most and make meaningful progress in restoring our waterways.”<\/p>\n

Under the federal Clean Water Act, states are required to assess and report on the condition of their waters every two years. As part of this process, the \u2018303(d) List<\/a>\u2019 identifies waterbodies that are not meeting one or more designated uses defined in Indiana\u2019s water quality standards<\/a>. A waterbody is considered impaired if its water quality is not sufficient to support its intended uses. Data is measured by miles listed as impaired or unimpaired. <\/p>\n

\u201cIndiana has shown a deliberate track record of assessing, protecting and working to restore our waterways,\u201d said IDEM Commissioner Clint Woods. \u201cWith more than 62,000 miles of rivers and streams, our Office of Water Quality works every day to identify impairments and develop a plan for restoration. These improvements support safer recreation, healthier streams, and stronger local ecosystems across Indiana communities.\u201d<\/p>\n

Historically, Indiana assesses a significantly greater variety and higher ratio of waterbodies for impairments compared to other states. Despite being a smaller state in terms of land area, in 2024 Indiana was among the top two states in the country for total miles of rivers and stream data assessed for full body contact. Only Colorado (79,367 mi) provided more sampling data than Indiana (33,643 mi) according to U.S. EPA data<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The top causes of impairment were E. coli, biological impairment, and PCBs discovered in fish tissue. In most cases, improvements were driven by measured reductions in pollutants or by restored support for designated uses.<\/p>\n

\u201cIndiana has put a strong focus on ensuring we have a complete picture of water health across the state. Our sampling includes everything from rivers and lakes to small streams and farm ditches,\u201d said Martha Clark Mettler, IDEM\u2019s Assistant Commissioner of Water Quality. \u201cWhile this may show more impaired waters on paper, Indiana\u2019s commitment to detailed monitoring ensures that issues are identified, prioritized, and addressed; not overlooked.\u201d<\/p>\n

When a waterbody is listed as impaired, IDEM is required to establish a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) to assess causes for impairments, and pollution reduction measures to establish a pathway for the waterbody to meet water quality standards. <\/p>\n

Indiana was also the nation\u2019s leader in submissions to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency of documented waterbody improvements in 2025. Last year, the U.S EPA published 13 water quality Success Stories, which detail restoration efforts that have led to documented water quality improvements, from Indiana. The next closest states had 10.<\/p>\n

Success Stories are U.S. EPA-designated case studies that highlight measurable water quality improvements achieved through local partnerships and community-driven solutions in waters that didn’t meet environmental standards for contaminants such as bacteria, nutrients, or sediment due to nonpoint source (NPS) pollution. Nonpoint source pollution refers to water pollution that does not come from a single identifiable source. <\/p>\n

To qualify as a Success Story, a waterbody must have: <\/p>\n