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Stormwater

Indiana’s surface water and groundwater resources are vital to the state’s economic strength, public health, and water recreation. INDOT is committed to delivering an innovative, efficient stormwater program guided by practical, cost-effective standards and continuous improvement. This page provides details on INDOT's Stormwater Management Program, including permits, training opportunities, and available resources.

INDOT maintains over 29,000 lane miles of highways, Operation and Maintenance Facilities, Welcome Centers and Rest Areas, and typically manages over 1,200 construction projects each year. This amount of impervious surface and construction activity can pose unique challenges for stormwater management.

The following everyday travel and transportation management activities are common causes of stormwater pollution:

  • Construction activities
  • Leaking oil or other fluids from vehicles
  • Heavy metals from brakes and engine wear
  • Salt and other winter weather treatments
  • Spills from traffic accidents
  • General facility usage and road maintenance
  • Litter tossed or blown out of vehicles

INDOT actively manages these everyday travel and transportation related activities using many of the tools and practices provided on this webpage. These resources help reduce stormwater pollution, protect Indiana’s waterways, and support safe, wellmaintained transportation systems.

Cost and Risk Reduction Benefits

  • Well-stabilized roadsides reduce erosion and protect INDOT’s transportation infrastructure, lowering long-term maintenance costs
  • Street sweeping removes mud and debris that can create unsafe driving conditions
  • Maintaining drainage systems and reducing litter keeps storm drains clear, helps prevent flooding, and protects nearby homes and businesses from damage
  • Cleaner roadsides also improve community appearance, which supports local property values and strengthens tourism by making Indiana’s highways and natural areas more attractive

Litter and Stormwater Management

Litter is a growing issue across Indiana, affecting roadsides, drainage systems, and waterways. When litter enters ditches or storm drains it can block flow, pollute water, create safety hazards, and degrade the appearance of our highways and communities. INDOT helps manage and reduce roadside litter through contracted services, routine maintenance, and volunteer programs. You can support these efforts by taking a few simple actions:

  • Secure and properly dispose of trash
  • Keep a litter bag in your vehicle
  • Cover all truck loads
  • Participate in local cleanups

Together, we can protect Indiana’s roads and waterways and keep our state clean and beautiful.

The CSGP is a performance-based regulation designed to reduce pollutants that are associated with construction and/or land disturbing activities. A CSGP is required for construction activity (which includes clearing, grading, excavation and other land-disturbing activities) that results in the disturbance of one (1) acre or more of total land area. INDOT permits and manages anywhere between 100 to 150 CSGPs annually.  Additionally, INDOT is responsible for managing stormwater control measures for all projects, not just those with CSGP.

For more information about the CSGP go to IDEM’s website here.

For questions about permitting a CSGP for INDOT State Projects or Stormwater Management Design or Construction Standards contact the INDOT Stormwater Team at CSGP@indot.in.gov.

INDOT CSGP Permit Determination Questionnaire

This questionnaire should only be completed when a project meets the specific conditions outlined in INDOT’s Permit Determination process. Its purpose is to help evaluate whether the proposed work requires a Construction Stormwater General Permit (CSGP) or qualifies for exemption. By providing accurate project information through this form, INDOT staff can determine the appropriate stormwater permitting path and ensure compliance with state requirements. If the project does not meet the criteria for review, this questionnaire should not be submitted.

For the Stormwater Permit Questionnaire, click here

INDOT CSGP Public Notices

Under CSGP 3.7(a)(3)(B), the Project Site Owner must demonstrate that the public has been notified that construction activity is scheduled to begin. Government agencies are now able to satisfy this requirement by posting the public notice on a publicly accessible website.

To improve efficiency and reduce administrative costs, INDOT has developed a dedicated webpage to serve as the official platform for all CSGP public notices.

According to Design Memo 26-07, the INDOT Stormwater Team is responsible for managing and posting all CSGP public notices for INDOT projects. The memo, which outlines these requirements, can be found here.

To view all CSGP Public Notices please click here.

How to Access CSGP Information

To view public CSGP applications and records, click here to access the IDEM nSITE Explorer. Use the map search tool and enter the seven digit INDOT designation number to locate project information.

You can also access INDOT project permitting documents and plans within the Contract Information Book by clicking here and entering your five digit contract number. From there, open the project folder, use the dropdown menu, and select the documents you want to view.

INDOT Construction Stormwater Management Training

This free training introduces participants to Erosion and Sediment Control regulations and practices. It is designed for Stormwater Quality Managers and others inspecting INDOT projects but can be taken by anyone interested in learning more about INDOT Stormwater Management. The INDOT Construction Stormwater Management Field Guide serves as the primary training tool, providing essential guidance and reference material. Upon completion of the training, participants are required to take a test to assess their understanding of the material.

For more information about the course, registration, renewals, and active status, please visit the training course information page here.

EPA Construction Inspection Training Course

EPA’s Construction Inspection Training Course is a free, seven-hour program that prepares individuals to conduct stormwater inspections on construction sites. It covers regulatory requirements, erosion and sediment control, pollution prevention practices, and inspection procedures, and provides a certificate upon passing the final exam. INDOT now accepts this certificate as an approved equivalent for meeting the training qualification requirements in 205.03 General Requirements (c) 2. CSGP SWQM and related contract provisions, giving inspectors an additional path to satisfy state training standards.

For more information on the training modules and how to take the final exam, visit the course information page here.

INDOT's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System General Permit (MS4GP) and the transition from Rule 5 (327 IAC 15-5) to the CSGP in 2021 requires INDOT to address discharges of post-construction stormwater run-off from new development and redevelopment. As areas develop and impervious surfaces increase, the stormwater velocity, quality, and types of pollutants exposed to stormwater can change and increase. INDOT has a requirement to provide Post-Construction Best Management Practices (PCBMPs), where applicable, to reduce pollutants and downstream impact from roadways and new facilities. The following are guidance documents and resources that show how INDOT is addressing PCSM and stormwater quality.

For questions about INDOT’s Post-Construction Stormwater Management program contact the INDOT PCSM Team at PCSM@indot.in.gov.

Design Memorandum 26-01 Post-Construction Stormwater Management
Post-Construction Stormwater Management Guidance Document - January 2026

PCSM Resources

PCBMP Inspection and Maintenance Plan Templates

PCBMP Operations and Maintenance Manuals

INDOT has been recognized as a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) and is required to create goals to reduce its impact on stormwater pollution. The requirements of the MS4GP influence nearly every aspect of INDOT’s operations, from construction projects and their design, operation and maintenance of facilities, employee education, and beyond.

INDOT is required to submit a Stormwater Quality Management Plan (SWQMP) and an Annual Report to IDEM. These are required to show INDOT is working toward the goals in the MS4GP to help protect Indiana’s stormwater run-off from INDOT’s roadways and construction projects.

For more information about the MS4GP go to IDEM’s website here.

For further information about INDOT’s MS4 Program please contact stormwater@indot.in.gov.

MS4GP Stormwater Quality Management Program Annual Reports

MS4GP Supplemental Resources

Help INDOT find drainage concerns or pollution in our right-of-way by reporting a concern to INDOT4U so we can improve the safety for our traveling public and environmental health across the State of Indiana.