For more information on IKE's efforts to reduce sewage in our streams

Combined Sewer Overflow Issues in Indiana:  Progress Being Made

• Eight environmental groups team up to develop a CSO Scoring System to evaluate Long-Term Control Plans (LTCPs). System was published on July 28.
• IKE is organizing and hosting a conference on Jan. 19, 2001, to discuss the public health aspects of CSOs and septic systems.
• Three cities — Mishawaka, Fort Wayne, Indianapolis — have made significant strides on their LTCPs. Each has taken a different approach.
• IDEM seeks comments on a rulemaking that requires communities to notify stream users of overflows. IKE made a proposal on July 31.
• IDEM misses its own July 1 deadline to publish a draft non-rule policy document explaining why it allows CSOs to be made worse while trying to reduce them. Many new sewer connections have been approved while we wait.
• It has been more than 300 days since the African-American and other residents in Indianapolis asked EPA to evaluate the civil rights violations they believe are caused by the operation of Indianapolis’ CSO system. By law, EPA must make a decision to accept or reject the complaint within 20 days. No action by EPA undermines the agency’s claim to make environmental justice a priority.
• IKE publishes on its website a presentation it made with four other organizations regarding the Indianapolis CSO problems. The presentation includes extensive photos.
• IDEM has held several constructive meetings as it develops guidance to city’s to develop LTCPs. The guidance is due Oct. 1.
• The Economist magazine based in London published an article on Indy’s CSO situation in its August 11 edition.