Indiana Administrative Code Title 327 - WATER POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION
Here’s a detailed overview of Indiana Administrative Code Title 327 – Water Pollution Control Division:
🗂️ Structure of Title 327
Title 327 is organized into nineteen articles, covering a comprehensive range of water‑related regulations:
Article 1 – General Provisions (327 IAC 1‑1 to 1‑2)
Article 2 – Water Quality Standards (2‑1 to 2‑11)
Includes criteria for spills (e.g., Rule 2‑6 on oil/objectionable substances, though that one has been repealed) (casetext.com, law.cornell.edu)
Article 3 – Wastewater Treatment Facilities; Permits; Construction (3‑1 to 3‑6) (law.cornell.edu)
Article 4 – Wastewater Treatment Facilities; Overload Conditions (4‑1)
Article 5 – Industrial Wastewater Pretreatment Programs and NPDES (5‑1 to 5‑23)
Articles 6 & 6.1 – Land Application of Sludge/Biosolids/Wastewater
Articles 7 & 7.1 – Sewage Disposal and Wastewater Management
Article 8 – Public Water Supply (8‑1 to 8‑12) (law.cornell.edu)
Articles 9 & 10 – Reserved
Article 11 – State Environmental Policy (11‑1 to 11‑3)
Article 12.1 – Public Records; Confidentiality
Articles 13 & 14 – Revolving Loan Funds (voided)
Article 15 – NPDES Permits (General & Category‑Specific)
Article 17 – Wetland Activity Permits (17‑1 to 17‑4)
Articles 18, 19, 20 – Leadership Programs, Confined Feeding Operations, Satellite Manure Storage
🔍 Recent Updates & Rulemakings
Updated drinking water standards (Article 8)
IDEM has initiated rulemaking (#24‑428) to align state rules with federal lead and copper standards in § 327 IAC 8, incorporating drinking water reference materials by reference.
First public comment: Nov 14–Dec 13, 2024; second: Apr 30–May 30, 2025. A final hearing is scheduled for Aug 13, 2025 (in.gov, law.cornell.edu, regulations.justia.com).
Aquatic Life Criteria Amendment (Articles 2 & 5)
Proposed updates (#21‑539) to change how aquatic life criteria are derived for “downstate waters” (excluding Great Lakes), though this was subsequently withdrawn in March 2025 (in.gov).
Enforcement Provisions
Recent rulemaking revised civil penalty procedures under Indiana Code 13‑30‑4‑1, clarifying IDEM’s enforcement authority (iar.iga.in.gov).
✅ How You Can Use Title 327
Permitting & Construction: Essential for entities building or operating wastewater treatment facilities and seeking NPDES or construction permits.
Water Quality Compliance: Articles 2 & 8 set standards for surface waters and public water supplies, including required setback distances, treatment protocols, and contamination controls.
Land & Sludge Management: Articles 6 / 6.1 lay out rules for agronomic application of wastewater and biosolids.
Wetlands & Agriculture: Permitting for wetland activities and rules for concentrated animal feeding operations are covered in Articles 17, 19, and 20.
Public Water Supply Wells: Key sections (e.g., § 8‑3.4‑9) specify sanitary setback distances for wells to prevent contamination (law.cornell.edu, regulations.justia.com).
📌 Key Takeaways
Comprehensive regulation of all aspects of water pollution, from water quality standards to wastewater treatment, public supply protection, and agricultural impacts.
Actively evolving, especially concerning lead and copper rules in public water systems—Aug 13, 2025, is a key date.
Enforcement authority updated, indicating stronger oversight by IDEM.
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