Storm Water Program

Program Coordinator
Telephone: 515-281-7017

Permitting Assistance
Telephone: 515-281-7820

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General Information:

Years after the Clean Water Act of 1972 was adopted, EPA completed rules to include storm water discharges in the NPDES permit program.  Since Iowa was delegated the NPDES program for wastewater discharges, delegation was requested for storm water discharges as well.  Information regarding the storm water permit program and how it is managed by IDNR can be found in the following pages:

• Online Storm Water General Permit Application - database allowing for the online submittal of Notices of Intent for new permit coverage

• Who must apply for a Storm Water Discharge Permit?

• Understanding Storm Water NPDES Permitting Requirements

• Cities/Universities Required to Obtain Permits (MS4 Permittees)

• Storm Water Forms and Application Materials

• Storm Water Permit Application Options

• Iowa Storm Water Management Manual

• Construction Site Erosion Control and Streambank Erosion Control Manuals

• State Revolving Fund - Offers low-interest loans for storm water practices that protect water quality.  Eligible borrowers include both public and private entities.

Any discharge from a facility or construction site that may temporarily degrade an Outstanding National Resource Water or Outstanding State Resource Water is required to be permitted by an individual NPDES permit, as stipulated in paragraph 567-61.2(2)"e" of the Iowa Administrative Code and in the Iowa Antidegradation Implementation Procedure.  General permit coverage is not available for these discharges.  The list of these waters is located in Appendix B of the Antidegradation Implementation Procedure.  For more information about obtaining an individual storm water permit for these facilities and construction sites, please contact the Storm Water Program Coordinator at 515-281-7017.

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Rulemaking Information:

On October 1, 2012, the three old storm water general permits expired.  The permits were renewed through rulemaking.  Several changes were made to the permits, including changes in the federal requirements.  These changes are detailed in the documents below. 

Document Name	Link
Notice of Intended Action for changes to the Storm Water General Permits
Final Rule for changes to the Storm Water General Permits
Changes in General Permit #1
Changes to General Permit #2
Changes to General Permit #3
Public Comments Received and Department Responses

The rule changes were adopted by the Environmental Protection Commission on July 17, 2012 and were effective on October 1, 2012.