Water Quality Bureau Rulemaking

General Information - Executive Order 10

Executive Order 10 (EO10) signed by the Governor on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded. The EO10 process for both the review of existing rule chapters and the reauthorization of rule chapters that will be retained includes public engagement with the opportunity for meaningful input throughout the process. During the Water Quality Bureau's implementation of EO10, opportunities for public input and information for public review will be posted on this webpage as they become available.

EO10 - Water Quality Bureau (WQB)

• WQB Introductory Presentation Recording - link to YouTube video
• WQB Introductory Presentation Slides
• WQB Introductory Presentation Transcript 

Asistencia lingüística gratuita (Free Language Assistance)

Si habla un idioma que no sea el inglés, los servicios de asistencia lingüística están disponibles de forma gratuita. Llame al 515-725-8200.

If you speak a non-English language, we offer you language assistance services free of charge. Call 515-725-8200.

WQB Rulemaking Schedule, News & Meetings

Anticipated Rulemaking Schedule

The Regulatory Analyses for the EO10 rule revisions for Groups 2 to 9 were published in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin on 9/4/2024, and the Notices of Intended Action (NOIAs) were published in the Bulletin on 1/8/2025. Two public hearings were held for each of the chapters in January and February of 2025. We anticipate that the final rules will be presented to the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) at their meeting in April. The new rules and rescissions are expected to become effective in the summer of 2025.

Newsletters

Meeting invitations and materials will be posted on this webpage and announced in the Water Quality Bureau electronic newsletters. Please use the links below to sign up for one or more of the newsletters.

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Public Hearings, Meetings & Comments

This section will be updated as new meetings are scheduled. Direct comments and questions on the proposed rules to the contact(s) listed in each Group.

Current & Proposed WQB Rules Grouped by Topic

The WQB currently manages 31 rule chapters, all of which are in 567 (Environmental Protection Commission) of the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC). For ease of review, the Bureau’s chapters have been placed into nine groups by topic. The current and proposed rule documents, EO10 materials, and staff contacts for each group are listed below.

Group 1 - Delegation of Construction Permitting Authority, Chapter 9

Group 1 contains Chapter 9, which was the department’s delegation of construction permitting authority to local systems. The rule was intended to provide a framework for the water supply and wastewater extension delegated authority program in Iowa Code 455B.183. However, in practice, the rule effectively mirrored the Code. Since there was no reason to have the language in two places, we rescinded this chapter, effective June 19, 2024.

Group 2 - Wells, Chapters 38, 39, 49, & 82

Group 2 contains the chapters regarding private water well construction permits (38), properly plugging abandoned wells (39), nonpublic water supply wells (49), and well contractor certification (82). We are proposing to revise Chapters 39 and 82 and to combine Chapters 38 and 49 in to one new Chapter 49. 

• Well Rules EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapters 38, 39, 49, and 82

Rule Documents - Current rules, proposed changes, and clean versions:

• Chapter 39 Documents (Plugging Abandoned Wells):
  • Chapter 39 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 39 Current Rule
  • Chapter 39 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 82 Documents (Well Contractor Certification):
  • Chapter 82 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 82 Current Rule
  • Chapter 82 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 49 Documents (38 and 49 Combined Rule):
  • Chapter 38, 49 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 38 Current Rule
  • Chapter 49 Current Rule
  • Chapter 38 & 49 Proposed Changes (as of1/8/2025)

Comment Email and Contact: Erik Day, erik.day@dnr.iowa.gov

Group 3 - Drinking Water, Chapters 40, 41, 42, & 43

Group 3 contains the drinking water chapters regarding definitions and forms (40), water supplies (41), public notice, education, reports, and records (42), and water supply design and operation (43). We are proposing to revise Chapters 41 and 43 and to combine Chapters 40 and 42 in to one new Chapter 40. 

• Drinking Water Rules EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapters 40 to 43

Rule Documents - Current rules, proposed changes, and clean versions:

• Chapter 40 Documents (40 and 42 Combined Rule):
  • Chapter 40, 42 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 40 Current Rule
  • Chapter 42 Current Rule
  • Chapter 40 & 42 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 41 Documents (Water Supplies):
  • Chapter 41 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 41 Current Rule
• Chapter 43 Documents (Water Supplies - Design and Operation):
  • Chapter 43 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 43 Current Rule

Comment Email and Contact: Carmily Stone, carmily.stone@dnr.iowa.gov

Group 4 - Water Allocation & Use, Chapters 50 to 55

Group 4 contains the chapters regarding definitions and forms (50), water permits or registration (51), water withdrawal, diversion, and storage (52), protected water sources (53), water use permit restrictions and well interference compensation, and aquifer storage and recovery (55). We are proposing to combine Chapters 50, 51, and 52 in to one new Chapter 50 and to revise chapters 53, 54, and 55. 

• Water Allocation and Use EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapters 50 through 55

Rule Documents - Current rules, proposed changes, and clean versions:

• Chapter 50 Documents (50, 51, and 52 Combined Rule):
  • Chapter 50, 51, 52 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 50 Current Rule
  • Chapter 51 Current Rule
  • Chapter 52 Current Rule
  • Chapter 50, 51, 52 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 53 Documents (Protected Water Sources):
  • Chapter 53 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 53 Current Rule
  • Chapter 53 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 54 Documents (Water Use Permit Restrictions and Well Interference Compensation):
  • Chapter 54 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 54 Current Rule
  • Chapter 54 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 55 Documents (Aquifer Storage and Recovery):
  • Chapter 55 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 55 Current Rule
  • Chapter 55 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)

Comment Email and Contact: Chad Fields, chad.fields@dnr.iowa.gov 

Groups 5 & 6 - Wastewater Construction and Operation Permits and Sludge, Chapters 60 to 67

Group 5 contains chapters regarding wastewater definitions and forms (60), effluent and pretreatment standards (62), and monitoring and reporting (63). Group 6 contains chapters regarding wastewater construction, NPDES, and operating permits and the rule-referenced Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards (64), pesticide applications (66), and land application of sewage sludge (67). We are proposing to combine Chapters 60, 64, and 66 in to one new Chapter 60 and to revise chapters 62, 63, and 67. 

• Wastewater Rules EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapters 60 to 69
• Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards (IWFDS) EO10 Fact Sheet

Rule Documents - Current rules, proposed changes, and clean versions:

• Chapter 60 Documents:
  • Chapter 60, 64, 66 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 60 Current Rule
  • Chapter 64 Current Rule
  • Chapter 66 Current Rule
  • Chapter 60 & 64 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 62 Documents (Effluent and Pretreatment Standards):
  • Chapter 62 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 62 Current Rule
  • Chapter 62 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 63 Documents (Monitoring, Analytical, and Reporting requirements):
  • Chapter 63 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 63 Current Rule
  • Chapter 63 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• IWFDS Documents:
  • Current Wastewater Engineering Design Standards
  • IWFDS Clean Version (as of 11/5/2024)
  • IWFDS Proposed Changes (as of 11/5/2024)
• Chapter 67 Documents (Land Application of Sewage Sludge):
  • Chapter 67 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 67 Current Rule
  • Chapter 67 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)

Comment Email: Direct comments and questions to npdes.mail@dnr.iowa.gov

Contacts for Chapters 60, 62, 63, & 64: Courtney Cswercko, courtney.cswercko@dnr.iowa.gov and Eric Wiklund, eric.wilklund@dnr.iowa.gov

Contact for IWFDS & Chapter 67: Satya Chennupati, satya.chennupati@dnr.iowa.gov

Group 7 - Septic Pumping & Onsite Wastewater, Chapters 68 & 69

Group 7 contains the chapters regarding commercial septic tank cleaners (68) and private sewage disposal systems (69). We are proposing to revise both chapters.

• Wastewater (Septic and Onsite Rules) EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapters 60 to 69

Rule Documents - Current rules, proposed changes, and clean versions:

• Chapter 68 Documents (Commercial Septic Tank Cleaners):
  • Chapter 68 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 68 Current Rule
  • Chapter 68 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 69 Documents (Private Sewage Disposal Systems):
  • Chapter 69 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 69 Current Rule
  • Chapter 69 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)

Comment Email: Direct comments and questions to npdes.mail@dnr.iowa.gov

Contacts: Cory Frank, cory.frank@dnr.iowa.gov or Eric Wiklund, eric.wilklund@dnr.iowa.gov

Group 8 - Operator & Laboratory Certification, Chapters 81 & 83

Group 8 contains the chapters regarding water and wastewater operator certification (81) and laboratory certification (83). We are proposing to revise both chapters.

• Operator Certification EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapter 81

Rule Documents - Current rules, proposed changes, and clean versions:

• Chapter 81 Documents:
  • Chapter 81 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 81 Current Rule
  • Chapter 81 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 83 Documents:
  • Chapter 83 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 83 Current Rule
  • Chapter 83 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)

Comment Email and Contact, Chapter 81: Laurie Sharp, laurie.sharp@dnr.iowa.gov

Comment Email and Contact, Chapter 83: Kathy Lee, kathy.lee@dnr.iowa.gov

Group 9 - Clean Water & Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), Chapters 90 to 93 & 44

Group 9 contains the chapters regarding the Clean Water SRF, including definitions and forms (90), project ranking criteria (91), the loan fund (92), and non-point source pollution control set-asides (93), and the chapter regarding the Drinking Water SRF (44). We are proposing to combine Chapters 90 to 93 in to one new Chapter 90 and to revise Chapter 44.

• DWSRF EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapter 44
• CWSRF EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapters 90-93

Rule Documents - Current rules, proposed changes, and clean versions:

• Chapter 90 Documents (90-93 Combined Rule):
  • Chapter 90, 91, 92, 93 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 90 Current Rule
  • Chapter 91 Current Rule
  • Chapter 92 Current Rule
  • Chapter 93 Current Rule
  • Chapter 90 to 93 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)
• Chapter 44 Documents:
  • Chapter 44 NOIA (as published in the IAB 1/8/2025)
  • Chapter 44 Current Rule
  • Chapter 44 Proposed Changes (as of 1/8/2025)

Comment Email: Direct comments and questions to SRF-pc@dnr.iowa.gov

Contact, Chapters 90 - 93: Theresa Enright thresea.enright@dnr.iowa.gov

Contact, Chapter 44: Tara Naber, tara.naber@dnr.iowa.gov