Warrick County, IN Environmental Rules: Stormwater Management (2026)

Chapter 53 of the Warrick County Code, adopted to satisfy the Clean Water Act and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's MS4 General Permit, regulates non-stormwater discharges into the county's separate storm sewer system to the maximum extent practicable. Section 53.06 prohibits discharging any material other than stormwater into an MS4 conveyance, waterbody or watercourse that causes or contributes to a water-quality-standard violation, and separately bans the construction, use, maintenance or continued existence of illicit connections, including any line conveying sewage into the MS4, regardless of whether the connection was once lawful.

The section carves out a list of exempt discharges such as residential car washing, uncontaminated air-conditioning condensate, fire suppression water and dechlorinated pool discharges, so ordinary household activities are not swept in. The Authorized Enforcement Agency, defined as employees or designees of the County Department of Stormwater Management, may inspect any part of the MS4 under Section 53.09, and under Section 53.07 the Stormwater Management Board can suspend a violator's MS4 access without prior notice in an emergency that threatens the environment or public health.

A person whose access is suspended may petition the Board for reconsideration and a hearing. Industrial or construction dischargers holding an NPDES permit must comply with all of that permit's terms under Section 53.08 to remain in compliance with the county chapter.