Statewide Compliance and Testing

• Overall Compliance: Indiana’s 2,900+ public water systems generally meet federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards, with Indiana American Water reporting that all systems serving 1.5 million customers met or surpassed state and federal requirements in 2024.
• PFAS Monitoring: IDEM has implemented comprehensive PFAS testing across all Community Public Water Systems since February 2021, with elevated levels detected at 19 utilities—9 small systems and 10 mid-size systems requiring enhanced monitoring and potential treatment.
• Infrastructure Investment: Over $191 million in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has been allocated to Indiana for water infrastructure improvements, including $65.8 million for lead service line replacement and $26 million for emerging contaminant treatment.

Major Water Sources and Challenges

• Wabash River Basin: Indiana’s longest river system serving central and southern regions, facing challenges from agricultural runoff and aging infrastructure requiring modernization and enhanced source water protection.
• Lake Michigan Access: Northwestern Indiana communities rely on Lake Michigan for water supply, with utilities implementing advanced treatment technologies to address emerging contaminants and maintain high water quality standards.
• Lead Service Line Challenge: EPA estimates over 265,000 customer-owned lead service lines remain throughout Indiana, requiring systematic replacement under new federal regulations mandating removal within 10 years.

Emerging Contaminant Response

• PFAS Regulation Implementation: New EPA drinking water standards for PFOA and PFOS (4 parts per trillion) take effect in 2029, requiring treatment infrastructure investments from the 19 Indiana systems with detected elevated levels.
• Treatment Technology Deployment: Water utilities are implementing NSF-certified activated carbon filtration and reverse osmosis systems to remove PFAS compounds, with enhanced monitoring programs tracking treatment effectiveness.
• Proactive Source Control: Indiana banned PFAS-containing firefighting foam for training purposes in 2020, and IDEM partners with federal agencies to collect and dispose of legacy foam from fire departments statewide.

Rural and Disadvantaged Communities

• Infrastructure Disparities: Small and rural water systems face disproportionate challenges with aging infrastructure, limited technical capacity, and higher per-capita costs for compliance with emerging federal regulations.
• Targeted Federal Support: The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities grant program provides dedicated funding streams to ensure equitable access to safe drinking water across Indiana’s diverse communities.
• Enhanced Technical Assistance: IDEM and EPA provide specialized support to help smaller systems navigate complex regulatory requirements, secure funding for necessary improvements, and implement effective treatment technologies.

Looking Forward: 2025-2030

Indiana’s water quality landscape is undergoing significant transformation as utilities prepare for new federal PFAS regulations taking effect in 2029 and lead service line replacement requirements. The state’s comprehensive PFAS monitoring program and substantial federal infrastructure investments position Indiana to address emerging contaminants and aging infrastructure challenges. However, successful implementation will require continued collaboration between IDEM, water utilities, and communities to ensure that all Hoosiers have access to safe, affordable drinking water while addressing the legacy of lead pipes and emerging chemical contamination that continues to challenge water systems across the state.