Site Registry

The Hazardous Substance Remedial Fund and Sites Registry (Registry) fulfill obligations under Sections 455B.424, 455B.426 and 455B.427 of the Code of Iowa. These sections require a full accounting to the Legislature and the Governor regarding the Hazardous Substance Remedial Fund and a report regarding sites listed on the Registry of Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites each January.  

The website is updated annually and as new information becomes available throughout the year. 

Reports for prior years are available by contacting Matt Graesch at Matthew.Graesch@dnr.iowa.gov.

Registry of Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites

The department maintains an assessment file for each site listed in the Registry. These files are available through the  Iowa DNR Records Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Individual site records may also be accessed through the contaminated sites database.  For most sites, these files contain a summary of comprehensive site investigations.  The site information package contains a detailed review of the site and is used as the basis for listing and classifying the sites in the Registry.  However, not all the known hazardous waste or contaminated sites that exist in the state are listed on the Registry. Contact Matt Graesch at Matthew.Graesch@dnr.iowa.gov for further information regarding specific locations or sites.

Classification Categories

All sites listed on the Registry are classified according to the relative priority listing for remedial action at the site.  During the initial listing, the site must be placed in one of the four alphabetical priority classifications ("a", "b", "c", or "d").  While a site is listed on the Registry, its classification can be changed because of site cleanup activities or because of new information about the site.  The five classification categories are specified in Section 455B.427.3 of the Code of Iowa.

• Classification Categories (80.77 KB) .pdf
• There was one reclassification or delistings for 2025 (64.33 KB) .pdf

Registered Sites by County with Priority Classifications

The following table shows the counties that contain registered sites along with the priority classifications, the year added to the registry, and the primary contaminant for each site. The list is in alphabetical order by the county in which the sites are located and then by the site name.

Primary Contaminant Legend (11.4 KB) .pdf

Restriction on the Sale and Change in Use of Property

When a site is listed on the Registry, a notice of listing is recorded in the county recorders office and becomes part of the property chain of title.  Iowa Code section 455B.430 prohibits (1) any "substantial change" in the use of a listed property without prior written approval by the Director of the Iowa DNR; and (2) any sale, conveyance or transfer of title to the property without the Director's prior approval.  

Property owners should submit a written request for approval to the Director of the Iowa DNR explaining the planned change in use or the proposed sale of the property.  The Director is required to respond within thirty days.  Property owners may appeal an adverse decision of the Director and request an administrative hearing. See Iowa Code section 455B.430(3).

If the Director has reason to believe there has been a substantial change in use or sale without prior approval, an action may be filed in Iowa District Court to enjoin the activity and assess a penalty up to $1,000 per day of violation.