Water pollution degrades surface waters making them unsafe for drinking, fishing, swimming, and other activities.
Storm water is water from rain or melting snow. It flows from rooftops, over paved streets, sidewalks and parking lots, across bare soil and lawns and into storm drains and streams. As it flows, runoff collects and transports litter, soil, pet waste, road salt and sand, pesticides, fertilizer, oil and grease, soaps and detergents, and a host of other pollutants. Storm water drains directly into nearby creeks, streams and rivers without receiving treatment at a wastewater treatment plant.
Storm water runoff is major contributor to water pollution nationwide and one of the great challenges of pollution control.
Untreated runoff degrades waterways. It affects water quality and the environment and reduces how much we can use streams, rivers and lakes for fishing, swimming and as a source for drinking water. Litter and sediment can also reduce storm drain and stream capacity, which contributes to flooding.
Day-to-day activities are major causes of storm water pollution:
- Litter tossed out of vehicles or from uncovered truck loads
- Used oil, paint, or chemicals poured down storm drains
- Improper disposal of pet waste and poorly maintained septic tanks
- Over-fertilizing of lawns and gardens
- Cleaning tools outdoors
Public actions make a huge impact. Learn how you can reduce storm water pollution today and protect our environment now and for the future.
INDOT storm water technical resources provide specifications, guidelines and parameters for best management practices in reducing storm water runoff pollution in agency operations, and in road and facility construction and maintenance.
See Something, Smell Something, Say Something
Help INDOT and the INDOT Storm Water team find pollution in our right-of-way so that dangerous, and toxic, discharges can be cleaned up. By helping identify pollution in pipes, ditches, on the side of the roadway, drains, or anywhere in INDOT right-of-way, INDOT can improve the safety for our traveling public and for our employees at worksites as well as clean up our streams. To report an issue please visit the INDOT customer service center.
INDOT Storm Water Information Center
MS4 Partnership Mapping Tool and Contacts
INDOT’s MS4 Partnership Mapping Tool is Indiana’s interactive electronic map tool that can be used to explore and view MS4 boundaries adjacent to INDOT roadways for urban areas, surface waters, day lighted conveyances, impaired waters, and other data. The MS4 Partnership Mapping Tool is evolving as more data is gathered through the cooperation and partnerships of Indiana’s MS4s. Information provided in this mapping tool is not to be used for project development purposes due to accuracy concerns.
SWQMP Annual Report
- Storm Water Quality Management Plan (SWQMP)
- Storm Water Quality Management Presentation
- SWQMP Annual Report 2017-2018
- SWQMP Annual Report 2016-2017
- SWQMP Annual Report 2015-2016
- SWQMP Annual Report 2014-2015
- RSP 205-R-636 INDOT Standard Specifications for Storm Water Management
- Designer Workshop 2016
- Report a Storm Water Concern Form
- Storm Water Management Brochure
- Indiana Design Manual
- Standard Specifications
- INDOT Standard Drawings
- 2018 INDOT Storm Water Field Guide
- Storm Water, Erosion and Sediment Control Inspection Report
- Ecology & Waterway Permitting
- Wetlands & Water Quality
- Green Initiatives
- What INDOT is Doing
- What You Can Do
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Stormwater Program
- Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM)
- IDEM Indiana Storm Water Quality Manual