1. (a) The board shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 establishing groundwater quality standards that include numeric and narrative criteria, a groundwater classification plan, and a method of determining where the groundwater quality standards must apply. The standards established under this subsection shall be used for the following purposes:

   1. (1) To establish minimum compliance levels for groundwater quality monitoring at regulated facilities.
   2. (2) To ban the discharge of effluents into potable groundwater.
   3. (3) To establish health protection goals for untreated water in water supply wells.
   4. (4) To establish concentration limits for contaminants in ambient groundwater.

2. (b) Except as provided in subsection (c) and subject to subsection (d), the following agencies shall adopt rules under IC 4-22-2 to apply the groundwater quality standards established under this section to activities regulated by the agencies:

   1. (1) The department.
   2. (2) The department of natural resources.
   3. (3) The state department of health.
   4. (4) The office of the state chemist.
   5. (5) The department of homeland security.
3. (c) The executive board of the state department of health may not adopt rules to apply the nitrate and nitrite numeric criteria included in groundwater quality standards established in rules adopted by the board under subsection (a) to onsite sewage systems.

4. (d) Any rule adopted by the executive board of the state department of health is void to the extent that the rule applies the nitrate and nitrite numeric criteria included in groundwater quality standards established in rules adopted by the board under subsection (a) to onsite sewage systems.

   [Pre-1996 Recodification Citation: 13-7-26-6.]

As added by P.L.1-1996, SEC.8. Amended by P.L.168-1999, SEC.1; P.L.24-2004, SEC.6; P.L.1-2006, SEC.201; P.L.113-2014, SEC.72; P.L.187-2021, SEC.48.