Indiana Department of Environmental Management

Graduating soon or recently graduated? Your career can start here. 🌱

At IDEM, you can build a meaningful career protecting Indiana’s air, land, and water while gaining hands-on experience in environmental science, engineering, communications, policy, compliance, and more.

Whether you’re looking to make an impact in the field, behind the scenes, or in your community, IDEM offers opportunities to grow, learn, and serve Hoosiers across the state.

Take a look at current openings and find where your future could begin: https://bit.ly/4fbx3e9

Last week, IDEM assisted authorities in Hancock County in responding to a semi‑trailer fire on I‑70 near Greenfield. The trailer was transporting 15 pallets (31,780 pounds) of lithium‑ion batteries when they ignited.

Several fire departments, the IDHS Fire Marshal's Office, Hancock County EMA, & INDOT responded to the incident, which involved the closure of both lanes of the interstate. 🚒

The batteries were placed in a sodium chloride (NaCl) solution to fully de‑energize them. After a fire, lithium‑ion batteries can remain unstable for hours or even days. NaCl is conductive, allowing any residual electrical charge to drain slowly and safely, preventing reignition. 🔋

IDEM continues to provide oversight of the cleanup and is working closely with the responsible party to guide response actions, conduct environmental sampling, and ensure all materials are managed safely. Soil samples will be collected and tested next week for metals and volatile organics. Any necessary remediation will be carried out based on those results. Fortunately, no impact on aquatic life was observed in any nearby waterways.

We’re thankful for the coordinated efforts of all agencies and responders who helped protect public safety during this incident.

Planning a beach day along Indiana’s Lake Michigan shoreline this summer? EPA is providing $205,000 to Indiana to support water quality monitoring at beaches and help keep swimmers informed and safe. 🏊

The funding supports beach monitoring, testing for elevated bacteria levels, and public notifications when conditions may make swimming unsafe. These efforts help protect public health while supporting recreation and tourism along Indiana’s Great Lakes coastline.

Before heading to the beach, be sure to check current conditions and advisories through Indiana’s BeachAlert program: https://portal.idem.in.gov/beachalert/ Sign up for automated emails/texts at on.IN.gov/idemsubscribe.

Ever wonder what happens to biosolids after they leave a wastewater treatment plant? 💧

IDEM recently joined partners in Kokomo for a hands‑on look at the biosolids land application process. The visit included a tour of Merrell Bros., Inc. facility and equipment, an up‑close view of field application operations, and a stop at the Kokomo Wastewater Treatment Plant to learn about its new biosolids treatment process.

Biosolids land application involves spraying or spreading materials onto the land surface or injecting or incorporating them into the soil. Reusing these materials as a soil amendment or fertilizer provides many benefits to Indiana’s agricultural community and citizens.

IDEM permits biosolids programs to ensure they are managed safely, applied responsibly, and protective of human health and the environment.

Indiana’s waterways are seeing real progress. 📈💧

Since 2008, CSO discharges across Indiana have dropped by over 71%.

A combined sewage overflow (CSO) is a utility wastewater discharge that occurs when rainfall or snowmelt exceeds the system's capacity, overwhelming it and causing the discharge of untreated sewage into rivers and streams, potentially posing a threat to human health and the environment.

These results reflects years of infrastructure improvements, collaboration, and continued investment in protecting Indiana’s rivers and streams.

Learn more in IDEM’s 2025 Annual Report: https://bit.ly/4ttnmzG

Just 1 week left to register for IDEM’s free P2 Toolkit Lunch & Learn webinar. ♻️

Join IDEM’s Compliance and Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) on June 4 from noon to 12:30 p.m. ET to learn practical, low-cost strategies for managing soiled rags, gloves, and towels at your business.

This quick webinar will cover simple ways to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and support environmental compliance using pollution prevention practices you can start implementing right away.

Register today: https://bit.ly/4cWuAGD

Four Indiana communities are taking steps toward a cleaner, more sustainable future! 👏

IDEM welcomes Greencastle, Lafayette, Lawrence, and Westfield to the Clean Community Program, a voluntary initiative recognizing communities committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability efforts across Indiana.

Learn more about IDEM's Clean Community program here: https://www.in.gov/idem/partnerships/clean-community/

IDEM’s Office of Water Quality (OWQ) was proud to participate in the Experience Otter Creek event in Terre Haute alongside local partners and community organizations focused on protecting Indiana’s waterways and natural resources. 💧

Staff hosted an educational booth and conducted a live electrofishing demonstration to help attendees learn more about aquatic life and water quality monitoring in the Otter Creek Watershed.

Thank you to OWQ team members Kayla Werbianskyj, Marissa Cubbage, Kevin Gaston along with interns Isaac Mondello and Megan Gonzalez for representing IDEM and helping connect Hoosiers with hands-on environmental education opportunities. 💚

⚠️ IDEM is forecasting an Air Quality Action Day (AQAD) for tomorrow, Wednesday, May 27, 2026 for the following region: Northwest, Indiana. ⚠️

For more information and recommended actions, see:
https://bit.ly/4bfYzFQ