Until further notice, Iowa DNR Wastewater Engineering Section is unable to receive hard copy applications via the United States Postal Service mail or other delivery services. However, we are still issuing wastewater construction permits and approvals remotely. Construction permit applications, plans, and specifications and all other engineering sealed, certified and signed documents submitted with electronic signatures are acceptable and original signatures are not required, until further notice.
- New Permit Applications and Work Record Requests: Submit all new wastewater construction permit applications (along with plans and specifications) and work record requests to the following email address: wastewater-engineering@dnr.iowa.gov. Email attachment size is limited to 25 MB. Please use zip files or other options to submit attachments greater than 25 MB and communicate that in your email submittal. Mail the construction permit fee and the permit fee form as indicated below.
- For projects with previously assigned project manager: Email all documents including design flows and loads, antidegradation alternatives analyses, facility plans, construction permit applications (along with plans and specifications), addenda, change orders directly to the project manager. Assigned project manager can be checked using the permit database at: https://programs.iowadnr.gov/wwisard/WastewaterPublicSearch.aspx
- Mail Construction Permit Fees: Mail the Wastewater construction permitting fees of $100 and the completed Wastewater Disposal System Construction Permit Application Fee Form to the Wallace Building at: Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Attn: Wastewater Engineering Section, 502 E 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50319-0034.
Contact Terry Kirschenman at Terry.Kirschenman@dnr.iowa.gov if you have any questions on electronic submittals.
Wastewater Construction Permits
Construction, installation or modification of any wastewater disposal system including sanitary sewer extensions requires a construction permit issued by the Department. Review of applications for construction permits shall be based on the criteria contained in the "Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards," the Ten States Standards, applicable federal guidelines and standards, standard textbooks, current technical literature and applicable safety standards. To the extent of any conflict between the above criteria the "Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards" standards shall prevail (567 IAC 64.2(9)).
A construction permit shall not be required for storm sewers or storm water disposal systems that transport only storm water, any new disposal system or extension or addition to any existing disposal system that receives only domestic or sanitary sewage from a building, housing or occupied by 15 persons or less.
Applications for a construction permit must be submitted to the Department at least 120 days in advance of the date of start of construction. The Department will issue a construction permit within 60 days of receipt of a complete application or denying the construction permit in writing unless a longer review period is required and the applicant is so notified in writing. The construction permit shall expire if construction has not commenced within one year of the date of issuance thereof. The Department may grant an extension of time to commence construction if it is necessary or justified.
Rules
Applicable rules for wastewater construction permitting are located in Chapter 567 IAC 64 of the Iowa Administrative Code. The current Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards are located on the Design Standards Webpage.
Work Record Requests
For assignment of a construction permitting project to DNR staff a work record request must be submitted. All new work record requests for a DNR project manager assignment shall be submitted to Wastewater Engineering Section as an attachment in an email to wastewater-engineering@dnr.iowa.gov. The email subject line shall include Work Request – Facility – Work Title. An automated response will be sent to the requestor acknowledging DNR receipt of the work request.