Wellfield Protection Program

What We Do

Do you know that less than 1% of the earth’s water is fresh water, and only about one-third of this 1% is available for human use? That means that only one-third of one percent of ALL the world’s water is available for drinking water, and most is contaminated in some way.

A majority of Marion County’s drinking water comes from surface water like rivers, lakes and streams. However, a considerable amount of freshwater is in the ground in the form of groundwater. Approximately 30% of Marion County’s drinking water comes from groundwater supplies. That means a third of all our drinking water is below ground, and comes to us via groundwater wells.

To protect this precious resource, the Marion County Public Health Department Hazardous Materials Team conducts inspections of regulated businesses within Marion County’s seven Wellfield Protection Areas. These inspections are intended to protect our groundwater from contamination, allowing us to continue to use this very scarce resource.

Marion County first initiated an inspection program to protect groundwater in the mid-1990s with the implementation of the Marion County Wellfield Protection Zoning Ordinance. This ordinance was developed to make sure all proposed developed business sites constructed in a Wellfield Protection Zoning District are conducting safe handling practices of potential groundwater contaminants. In January 2017, the Marion County Public Health Department established the Marion County Wellfield Protection Standards Ordinance, which broadened these regulatory standards to include all new and established businesses operating in a Wellfield Protection Area. Staff members work directly with facilities to ensure compliance, and to encourage best business practices for facilities operating a business while storing, handling, managing or transporting potential groundwater contaminants.

Inspection frequency is determined using several site-specific factors, including types and amounts of chemicals stored at a location, facility history including past spills, and previous inspection history.

Codes

The Health and Hospital Code

Health and Hospital Code: Chapter 19 Non Residential Premises Ordinance
Health and Hospital Code: Chapter 20 Hazardous Materials Ordinance
Health and Hospital Code: Chapter 13 Wellfield Protection Standards

Revised Code of the Consolidated City and County Indianapolis/Marion, Indiana