Construction Permits

We are receiving construction permit applications, plans, specifications, and other engineering documents submitted electronically. Electronic submissions are encouraged as it will minimize steps and lag time in our project intake process. Electronic signatures are acceptable and original signatures are not required, until further notice. Please contact Taroon Bidar at taroon.bidar@dnr.iowa.gov if you have questions about electronic submittal.

New Applications

Submit all new water supply construction permit applications, including plans and specifications, to this email address (note the hyphen): watersupply-engineering@dnr.iowa.gov. 

Please note: construction permit application schedules must be sent as pdf attachments. Plans and specs under 25 MB may be sent as pdf attachments. For plans and specs larger than 25 MB, send as zip files or use other options for submission. Submit the construction permit fee using one of the options listed below. You do not need to mail in hard copies of other schedules or plans and specs. If you have questions about electronic submittal or which project manager is assigned to your project, please contact one of the staff members listed at the bottom of the page.

Projects with Previous Assigned Project Managers

Email all documents directly to the project manager if you are already working with one on a project: engineering reports, construction permit applications including plans and specifications, addenda, and change orders. 

Electronic Payment Fee

Navigate to https://programs.iowadnr.gov/payments and choose “Pay Water Supply Construction Permit Fees”. Complete the electronic form and follow the on-screen instructions to submit payment. Payments can be made using a credit card or electronic check. All payments will include a $1.50 processing fee, and credit card payments will include an additional 2.5% processing fee. 

Submit the payment confirmation email with the construction permit application.

• Water Supply Construction Permit Online Fee Portal User Guide (641.57 KB) .pdf

Check Payment by Mail

Mail the water supply construction permit fee check and a copy of schedule 1c (form 542-3179) to the following address: 

Iowa DNR
Attn: Water Supply Engineering Section
6200 Park Ave Ste 200
Des Moines, IA 50321-1371

Checks not accompanied by a schedule 1c form will be returned.

Construction Standards for Public Water Supplies

The construction standards for a project at a public water supply are the Ten States Standards as adopted through 2012, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) Standards as adopted through 2016, and 567 of the Iowa Administrative Code (IAC) subrules 43.3(7) to 43.3(9). To the extent of any conflict between the Ten States Standards and the American Water Works Association Standards and IAC 567--43.3(7) to 567--43.3(9), the Ten States Standards, IAC 567--43.3(2), and IAC 567--43.3(7) to 43.3(9) shall prevail.

Permit Description

A public water supply construction permit must be obtained from the Iowa DNR prior to the construction or modification of any source, treatment, storage, or distribution system of a public water supply system. 

To obtain a construction permit, the following must be submitted to the Iowa DNR Water Supply Engineering Section: 

• the project's plans and specifications
• the applicable construction permit application schedules
• the appropriate permit fee. 

A fact sheet is available to assist in determining when a construction permit must be obtained: DNR Water Supply Construction Permitting Fact Sheet. (633.77 KB) .pdf

Construction Permit Database

The Water/Wastewater Information System and Records Database, called W/Wisard, is an online database that provides public access to information related to past and ongoing water supply and wastewater construction projects. Project searches can be conducted utilizing a number of criteria, such as projects for a specific facility. 

W/WISARD

Water/Wastewater Information System and Records Database

W/Wisard tracks the progress of water supply and wastewater construction projects, including those being financed through the State Revolving Fund (SRF).

Water/Wastewater Information System and Records

What to Submit

All applications for a construction permit must include the following three items:

• Schedule 1a (General Information) (1.26 MB) .pdf
• Schedule 1c (Fee Calculation) (1.13 MB) .pdf
• Applicable fee

In addition, the other forms (Schedules 2a through 16d) are required based upon the nature of the project (e.g., water mains, well construction, chemical feed, etc.).  The Water Supply Service Agreement form is required for all projects where the applicant is someone other than the supplier of the water.

Once the project is completed, the Notification of Completion of Construction form or postcard that is supplied with the permit must be submitted to indicate the project was completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications.

Forms & Schedules

Additional Resources

• FAQ for Water Main and Sewer Separation Changes (188.71 KB) .pdf

  The document presents and explains the recent changes to water main and sewer separation distances in 567 IAC Ch.43.3(2).

• PWS Test and Observation Guidance (208.88 KB) .pdf

  The reference document that contains a defined procedure and checklist which can be used to help understand and meet the compliance requirements for the installation of public water supply test and observation wells is available.

• LUST Sites and Water Main Construction Guidance (408.14 KB) .pdf

  This document provides guidance on constructing water mains in areas of leaking underground storage tank (LUST) sites.

• Minor Water Main Construction Permitting Process (177.08 KB) .pdf

  This document contains a visual of the minor water main construction permitting process.

• Emergency Well Construction Fact Sheet (732.3 KB) .pdf

  This fact sheet explains the emergency well construction permitting process.

• New Well Testing (360.22 KB) .pdf

  This document lists the requirements for analytical testing of new wells.

• Iowa Drinking Water SRF

  Further information on Iowa's drinking water state revolving loan fund, including the water supply construction manual.

Who to Contact

Full contact information is listed below.