Indiana's Water Shortage Plan

In 1994, the Department and Natural Resources prepared Indiana's Water Shortage Plan, considering input from a variety of stakeholders. The plan included triggers to identify the start of a water shortage and appropriate responses, including water-use priorities and conservation tools. The plan recommended voluntary restrictions or conservation methods but established, no group to put the plan in play. Indiana Code 14-25-14 was enacted in 2006 (since repealed), and a Water Shortage Task Force was appointed by the governor to administer and update the Water Shortage Plan. The task force was composed of a diverse and experienced group of professionals representing:

1. Public Water Supply Utilities
2. Agriculture
3. Steam Electric Generating Utilities
4. Industry
5. Municipalities
6. Environmentalists
7. Consumer Advocates
8. Economic Development Advocates
9. Academia
10. Public

The Water Shortage Task Force conducted its initial meeting on December 6, 2006, in the Indiana State House. Task Force Committee Membership and Responsibilities were proposed at the meeting. In addition, PowerPoint presentations entitled
"Senate Enrolled Act 369" [pdf version] and "Water, Water Where??" [pdf version], were made by Department of Natural Resources staff and Mr. Carlton Curry of the City of Indianapolis Department of Waterworks, respectively. Indiana code 14-25-14 requires the Task Force to complete an initial revision of the 1994 Water Shortage Plan before July 1, 2009, and present the revised plan to the Water Resources Study Committee. The revision was completed in July 2009, and the task force was abolished in 2012 with the repeal of IC 14-25-4.

For more information or questions regarding Indiana's Water Shortage Plan or the Water Shortage Task Force, please contact the Department of Natural Resources by e-mail at mailto:water_inquiry@dnr.in.gov.

Upcoming Meetings/Events

Water Shortage Task Force: 

No Meetings Currently Scheduled

Meeting Summaries

• July 23, 2009 Meeting Summary
• June 26, 2009 Meeting Summary
• May 29, 2009 Meeting Summary
• May 1, 2009 Meeting Summary
• March 27, 2009 Meeting Summary
• February 27, 2009 Meeting Summary
• January 31, 2009 Meeting Summary
• December 17, 2008 Meeting (cancelled due to the Christmas Holiday)
• November 20, 2008 Meeting Summary
• October 28, 2008 Meeting Summary
• September 18, 2008 Meeting Summary
• August 28, 2008 Meeting Summary
• July 25, 2008 Meeting Summary
• June 27, 2008 Meeting Summary
• April 18, 2008 Meeting Summary
• March 28, 2008 Meeting Summary
• February 15, 2008 Meeting Summary
• November 30, 2007 Meeting Summary
• October 19, 2007, Meeting Summary
• September 28, 2007, Meeting Summary
• June 15, 2007, Meeting Summary
• March 22, 2007, Meeting Summary

Joint Meeting; Policy and Priority Committee / Monitoring and Assessment Committee:

• May 18, 2007, Meeting Summary
• April 20, 2007, Meeting Summary

Policy and Priority Committee:

• April 20, 2007, Meeting Summary
• March 2, 2007, Meeting Summary

Monitoring and Assessment Committee:

• April 20, 2007, Meeting Summary
• March 2, 2007, Meeting Summary

Additional Links/Information

• Indiana Water Shortage Task Force Final Report
• Updated Indiana's Water Shortage Plan
• Great Lakes Water Management Agreement 
• Indiana Suggested Ordinance
• Indiana Water Resource Update Page - Division of Water webpage that provides information regarding the following topics:
• Current Weather Conditions and Forecasts
• Climatic Conditions
• Current Streamflow Conditions
• Current Reservoir and Great Lakes Water Level Conditions
• Status of Ground-Water Levels
• Monthly Water Resource Summary
• Understanding Floods and Droughts
• Water Conservation
• Indiana's Water Shortage Plan
• The Water Cycle and Water Budgets in Illinois  
• Water Withdrawal and Conservation Practices for Michigan
• Stream Flow: The Next Two Decades, Connecticut
• Kentucky Drought and Mitigation Plan