July 28, 2026

Guide to File a Pollution Complaint in Northwest Indiana

Check out this step-by-step guide to file a pollution complaint in NW Indiana

As community members, you have the power to file complaints with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (“IDEM”) when you see pollution in your community. You can do so at this website.

These complaints put the state on notice to enforce clean air and water laws while also providing a basis for ELPC to hold IDEM and polluters accountable.  

This guide will do three things:

1. Provide tips on how to capture the event with details, photos and videos.
2. Information on how to submit your complaint to IDEM.
3. Connect you with ELPC so we can hold IDEM accountable to follow up!

STEP 1: Gather Information

Here is the information you should gather if you see concerning air or water pollution in your community.

• Date of the event.
• Time of the event.
• Weather during the event.
• Location of the event (where on or near the facility).
• Observation summary of the pollution event.

Here are the factors to keep in mind for your observation summary:

For air pollution, relevant factors important for IDEM to consider include: 

• Opacity: How thick is the plume?
• Duration: How long did the pollution last?
• Color
• Frequency: Is the plume intermittent or continuous?
• Smell: Does the air have a specific odor resulting from the plume?
• Other information: Note if you are experiencing or perceive any health impacts from this incident on yourself or others including respiratory issues like coughing, asthmatic symptoms, or sore throat.

For water pollution, relevant factors important for IDEM to consider include:

• Visuals: Is there an oily sheen, unnatural discoloration, unusual foaming, or heavy suspended sediment?
• Smell: Are there any unusual odors?
• Environmental Impacts: Are there any environmental impacts such as dead or dying fish, distressed wildlife, or stressed aquatic vegetation?

Tips for taking photos and videos of pollution:

Videos are better than photos as they include more context. If possible, include a video in your complaint to IDEM.

An ideal set of photographs includes:

• Wide shot of facility.
• Mid-range shot showing emission point.
• Close-up shot of plume.
• Shots showing the plume downwind.

Position of photographer:

• The background of the plume is important to gauge its density.
  • If possible, do not position yourself such that trees or buildings are in the background. This could impair IDEM from verifying the density of the plume.
  • Ideally, the plum would be well lit, meaning the sun is directly behind the plume.
• Lastly, you should ensure you are not directly below the plume. The key here is that the angle of observation is not too steep.

Tips to take photos with a phone:

• Tap to focus on the plume.
• Turn on location services (GPS tagging) so that IDEM can verify the location of the photograph.
• When submitting the photograph, ensure the time / date is visible. You can do this by screenshotting the photo when you are viewing it in your camera roll.

Example of good photographs: Here are some examples of good photographs that have a clear background and show the density of the plumes. The best photo is a clear, high-contrast image of the plume against the background. Without a clear background, the smoke is harder to see.

 

Example of a bad photograph: As you can see below the smoke blends into the trees in the background making it difficult to see.

STEP 2: Submit the complaint to IDEM

We suggest that you utilize option 3 on the IDEM complaint website page under the “How do I file a complaint?” section.

This option allows you to attach a complaint form to an email you will send directly to IDEM. Importantly, this option also allows you to attach any photos or videos you have gathered.  

1. All the information you have gathered in Step 1 will allow you to thoroughly fill out the IDEM complaint form.
2. Community members have noted that box #13 which asks that you “[p]lease provide [IDEM] with driving directions to the site of the activity” is overly burdensome. ELPC agrees that this is an unnecessarily complicated question for this form. If you cannot provide driving directions, noting the address of the pollution event in that box is sufficient. If you cannot provide the exact address, noting down landmarks and / or cross-streets is also helpful. Do not feel discouraged from making a complaint if you cannot give an exact location. Additionally, any pictures you provide will aid IDEM in determining location.
3. Note that when you are filling out the complaint form, it is not necessary to include your physical address in the “Personal Information” section of the complaint form. However, at minimum it is important that you fill out your name, email address and the date you submit the complaint to ensure that IDEM can keep you updated on the status of the complaint. Optionally, you can also include your phone number if you prefer IDEM to communicate with you via phone. Be aware that if a public records request were made for these forms, IDEM would be obligated to provide them.

STEP 3: Loop ELPC in!

When submitting your complaint via email to IDEM, you may CC Associate Attorney, Max Lopez at [email protected] to ensure that we are aware the complaint has been made. This will also ensure we can stay engaged with IDEM to verify they are diligently investigating your complaint.

Let’s Recap!
Think you witnessed concerning pollution?
Remember 1, 2, 3:

1. Capture the event with details, photos and videos.
2. Submit your complaint to IDEM at this website. 
3. Loop us in!

If you need support filing out IDEM’s form, please email Max Lopez, Associate Attorney at Environmental Law and Policy Center – [email protected].