Clean and safe water is vital for drinking, recreation, sanitation and hygiene. Water can become contaminated in many ways, including septic system failures, sewage overflows and spills, wildlife waste and poorly maintained swimming pools and spas.
The Department of Health helps to maintain good water quality and prevent water-borne illnesses by promoting healthy swimming, ensuring that pools and spas are properly maintained and septic (onsite sewage) systems are installed correctly and working properly.
Click on the categories below to learn more about water quality issues that affect human health and the environment.
Drinking Water
Drinking water comes from a variety of sources, including public water systems, private wells, or bottled water. Find out more about where your drinking water comes from, how it’s treated, and if it’s safe to drink.
Recreational Water Activities
Swimming and other water-related activities are excellent sources of exercise and recreation when done safely. Find out how to minimize the risk of injury and illness when enjoying recreational water activities.
Septic and Wastewater Systems
Onsite sewage disposal, or septic systems, play important roles in sanitation and disease prevention by removing harmful viruses, bacteria, and parasites from wastewater. Find out more about the risks to human health and the environment from failing septic systems.
Additional Resources
- State of Indiana Waters (Purdue University)
- Water Quality (IDEM)
- Water-Related Diseases and Contaminants (CDC)
- Safe Food and Water: What Travelers Need to Know (CDC)
