Wastewater and NPDES Rules
General Information about Iowa's Wastewater and NPDES Rules
The Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) contains several chapters regulating the direct discharge of wastewater to waters of the state. The chapters containing most of the wastewater permit regulations are as follows:
Rules regarding NPDES permits for Animal Feeding Operations (Chapter 65) can be found on the Animal Feeding Operations page. Rules regarding onsite (private) wastewater systems (Chapters 68, 69, and 93) can be found on the Private Septic Systems page.
The chapters above are regularly updated through the state's rulemaking process. Please refer to the Current NPDES Rulemaking Actions section below for more information on any proposed rule changes.
Current NPDES Rulemaking Actions
There are no current NPDES rulemakings at this time.
Past NPDES Rulemaking Actions
Disadvantaged Community Rule:
The disadvantaged community rule proposed in 2012 became effective on January 16, 2013. This rule implements Iowa Code 455B.199B, as modified by Senate File 407 (SF407). The code section and senate file establish criteria that DNR must use to determine if ratepayers or a community will experience substantial and widespread economic and social impact and qualify as disadvantaged as a result of complying with wastewater regulations. Please see the links below for more information on the disadvantaged community rule.
Rulemaking Documents:
Proposed Disadvantaged Community Rules as published 8/8/12
Disadvantaged Community Rules for 11/20/12 EPC Meeting (Final Rule)
Responsiveness Summary (10/22/12)
Disadvantaged Community Analysis (10/22/12) (for communities with NPDES permits)
Disadvantaged Community Matrix (10/22/12) (for communities with NPDES permits)
Disadvantaged Unsewered Community Analysis (10/22/12) (for communities w/o a permit)
Disadvantaged Unsewered Community Matrix (10/22/12) (for communities w/o a permit)
Additional Information:
Disadvantaged Community Rulemaking - One Page description
Disadvantaged Community Rules Flowchart - Sewered and Unsewered
Compliance Schedule Tables
Disadvantaged Community Rule Presentation for Public Hearings
For more information regarding the disadvantaged community rule and on how to qualify for disadvantaged status, please contact Courtney Cswercko at courtney.cswercko@dnr.iowa.gov. For more information on wastewater treatment options in rural communities and a frequently asked questions document concerning SF407 and disadvantaged communities, please see the Rural Community Sewers page.
Summary of Rulemaking Procedure
When a change to the wastewater rules is proposed, it is presented to the Iowa DNR Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) for approval as a Notice of Intended Action. If approved by the EPC, it is published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin (IAB) as a Notice of Intended Action (NOIA). Once the NOIA is published, the rule is discussed at the next legislative Administrative Rules Review Committee (ARRC) meeting. After a public comment period in which hearings are held and comments are accepted, the proposed rule is presented to the EPC for approval as a Final Rule. If a final rule is approved by the EPC, after consideration of public comments, it is published in the Administrative Bulletin as a Final Rule. The final rule will be presented to the ARRC after it is published and before it becomes effective.
Occasionally, rules can be filed without notice, meaning that there is no public comment period. When a rule is filed without notice, it is presented to the EPC, published in the IAB, and presented to the ARRC as a final rule.
For more information regarding the wastewater rules, please contact Adam Schnieders at 515-281-7409 or adam.schnieders@dnr.iowa.gov.