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Wastewater Land Application General Information:

Wastewater land application projects that incorporate new or additional land application sites, and new or additional storage, treatment, or disposal systems are required to obtain site approval, facility plan/engineering report approval, and a land application construction/operation permit from the DNR. 

A land application operation permit will be issued along with the facility plan approval for projects without additional construction, and issued along with the construction permit for projects that require a construction permit. DNR review of land application projects is based on the Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards, the Ten States Standards, applicable federal guidelines and standards, standard textbooks, current technical literature and applicable safety standards, Iowa Code Section 455B.174, and rule 567 IAC Chapter 60.

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Land Application Project Initiation and Permit Applications:

Work Record Request:

To initiate a land application project, submit a work record request to the Wastewater Engineering Section as an attachment in an email to wastewater-engineering@dnr.iowa.gov. Include "Work Request – Facility – Work Title" in the email subject line. An automated email response will be sent acknowledging DNR receipt of the work request.

Construction Permit Applications:

  • Applications for land application permits must be submitted to the DNR at least 120 days in advance of the construction and/or operation start date. The DNR will issue permits within 60 days of receipt of a complete application or deny the permit in writing unless a longer review period is required and the applicant is so notified.
  • Construction permit applications must be accompanied by a fee of $100. To make an electronic payment, proceed to https://programs.iowadnr.gov/payments and choose “Pay Wastewater Construction Permit Fee”. Fill the information on the form and follow the on-screen instructions.
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Land Application Construction Permit Process Documents

Land Application - Construction Permit Process Documents
Form #   Document NameRevision Date
 Work Record Request 
Work Record Request
New 11/12
 Work Record Request InstructionsNew 11/12
 Land Application Permitting Process ManualUpdated 7/19
 Land Application Decision MatrixNew 9/18
 Land Application Process MapNew 6/17
542-0822Land Application Checklist - Projects WITHOUT Construction PermitsNew 9/18
542-0821Land Application Checklist - Projects WITH Construction PermitsNew 9/18
542-0820Land Application Site Survey ReportNew 11/18
542-0819Land Application Engineering Report Scope of Study ChecklistNew 9/18
 Land Application Sample Engineering ReportNew 9/18
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Land Application Construction/Operation Permit Application Forms

Form #Document NameRevision Date
542-1253 NPDES Application Fee Invoice for a New DischargerUpdated 7/23
542-3079 Schedule Z: Wastewater Treatment and Disposal Systems Site SelectionNew 8/18
542-3080Schedule S: Wastewater Land ApplicationNew 8/18
542-3129Schedule A: General InformationUpdated 9/24
542-3099Schedule F: Treatment Project Site SelectionUpdated 11/15
542-3100Schedule G: Treatment Project Design DataUpdated 4/20
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Other Land Application Forms and Resources 

Form #   Document NameRevision
542-0818Land Application Annual Monitoring ReportNew 9/18
542-0899    Application for an Operation Permit for Emergency Land Application of Wastewater (submit to DNR Field Office)New 8/18
 Land Application Loading EquationsNew 9/18
542-0823Land Application Rate Calculator
Land Application Rate Calculator
New 9/18
 Land Application Useful Web LinksNew 9/18
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