The goal of the new private well construction permitting program is to protect Iowa's groundwater by regulating the location and construction of private wells in Iowa. A property owner who plans to construct a well must get approval of the location and design and apply for (*.pdf) and receive from the county or state permitting authority, a private well construction permit before any well construction activity is initiated.

In most instances, the construction permit can be obtained from the local county (*.pdf) environmental health department. In some instances, the permits are only issued by IDNR or a neighboring county.

In many instances, an on site inspection is required to verify that the well location avoids sources of contamination. The well design must also meet all minimum construction standards (off-site) for the type of well proposed.

Wells requiring a private well construction permit include:

• wells used for; domestic, livestock or irrigation
• recreational-use wells,
• monitoring wells,
• heat pump wells,
• industrial wells, and
• dewatering wells.

Wells, according to Chapter 82, Well Contractor Certification (off-site), must be constructed, and pumps installed and maintained by a contractor certified by the Department.

Wells intended to serve twenty five (25) or more people must obtain construction permits only from WS Engineering Section (WSE).