Stormwater and CSO
Stormwater
The City of Elkhart's Stormwater Utility was created in 2006. This system exists to convey the stormwater that drains off yards, roofs, streets, and parking lots from neighborhoods to local waterways or retention ponds. The Utility must also ensure that Elkhart meets state and federal requirements for improving the quality of stormwater runoff. Because most stormwater receives no treatment before it goes into a stream, lake, or river it is important that we keep as many pollutants as possible out of the stormwater runoff.
The City of Elkhart works cooperatively with the Greater Elkhart County Partnership to meet all Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) requirements. Please visit Elkhart County Soil & Water Conservation District - Stormwater Partnership Page (External URL) for program information and educational resources.
City of Elkhart Water Quality Characterization Report and Stormwater Quality Management Plan (PDF)
City of Elkhart 2025 Stormwater Annual Report (PDF)
Report stormwater quality issues by calling 574-293-2572 or using 311.
The MS4 stormwater ordinance is available at The City of Elkhart, Indiana, Code of Ordinances (External URL).
Combined Sewer Overflow
Our sewer system, like many in cities throughout the United States, was designed to carry both sewage and rainwater – with relief points that overflow when too much rainwater enters the system.
During dry weather, sewage flows safely through the sewers to our wastewater treatment plant. However, during rainstorms or snowmelt, the incoming stormwater can overwhelm the sewers and cause raw sewage to overflow into the St. Joseph River, Elkhart River, and Christiana Creek.
As required by law, any permittees authorized to discharge a CSO to the Great Lakes Basin shall make available to the public an annual notice describing the CSO discharges from its discharge points that occurred in the previous calendar year. To meet this requirement, the City of Elkhart has compiled several documents and sources of data for the public to access. The required Public Notification and the associated documents are provided below.
CSO Public Notification 2025 Annual Notice (PDF)
2024 CSO Op Plan Complete (PDF)
LTCP Status Report July 1 - December 31, 2025 (PDF)