Water Quality Rulemaking

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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on January 10, 2023, requires all state agencies to identify which administrative rule chapters will be retained or rescinded.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. Opportunities for public input and information for public review during the Water Quality Bureau's implementation of EO10 will be posted on this webpage as they become available.

EO10 - Governor's Office

EO10 - Water Quality Bureau (WQB)

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.

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WQB Rulemaking Schedule, News & Meetings

Anticipated Rulemaking Schedule

We anticipate that the Regulatory Analyses for the EO10 rule revisions will be published in September 2024, presented to the Governor’s office in October of 2024, and presented to the Environmental Protection Commission in December of 2024. The new rules and rescissions are expected to become effective in the Spring of 2025.

Newsletters

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

Public Hearings, Meetings & Comments

This section will be updated in the future as new meetings are scheduled. Direct comments and questions on the proposed rules to the contacts listed below in each rule Group.

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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. Each group and its corresponding chapters are listed below. To view the current and proposed rule documents, EO10 materials, and staff contacts for each group, please open the accordions.

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Group 1 - Delegation of Construction Permitting Authority, Chapter 9

Short Summary: Group 1 contains Chapter 9, which is the department’s delegation of construction permitting authority to Local Systems. The intended benefit of the rule was 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 is no reason to have that language in two places, we are proposing to rescind this chapter. The rescinded version of Chapter 9 was effective on June 19, 2024.

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

Short Summary: Group 2 contains Chapters 38 (Private Water Well Construction Permits), Chapter 39 (Requirements for Properly Plugging Abandoned Wells), Chapter 49 (Nonpublic Water Supply Wells), and Chapter 82 (Well Contractor Certification). We are proposing to revise Chapters 39 and 82, and combine Chapters 38 and 49 in to one chapter, a new Chapter 49. The proposed changes to 39 and 82 and the new Chapter 49 are posted below.

Fact Sheet: Please see the following fact sheet for a high-level overview of the proposed changes to the well chapters.

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

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

  • Chapter 39 Documents (Plugging Abandoned Wells):
    • Chapter 39 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 39 Current Rule
    • Chapter 39 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024)
  • Chapter 82 Documents (Well Contractor Certification):
    • Chapter 82 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 82 Current Rule
    • Chapter 82 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024)
  • Chapter 49 Documents (38 and 49 Combined Rule):
    • Chapter 38, 49 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 38 Current Rule
    • Chapter 49 Current Rule
    • Chapter 38 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024) (Chpt. 38 only)
    • Chapter 49 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024) (with Chpt. 38)

Comment Emails and Contacts: 

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

Short Summary: Group 3 contains the drinking water chapters regarding definitions and forms (40), water supplies (41), public notice, public education, consumer confidence reports, reporting, and record maintenance (42), and water supply design and operation (43).

Fact Sheets: Please see the following fact sheets for a high-level overview of the proposed changes to each of the drinking water chapters. The fact sheets also contain a description of the formatting in the proposed changes documents linked below.

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

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

  • Chapter 40 Documents (40 and 42 Combined Rule):
    • Chapter 40, 42 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 40 Current Rule
    • Chapter 42 Current Rule
    • Chapter 40 Proposed Changes (Chpt. 40 only) (as of 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 42 Proposed Changes (with Chpt. 40) (as of 9/4/2024)
  • Chapter 41 Documents: 
    • Chapter 41 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 41 Current Rule
    • Chapter 41 Proposed Changes (as of 7/27/2024)
  • Chapter 43 Documents:
    • Chapter 43 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 43 Current Rule
    • Chapter 43 Proposed Changes (as of 7/28/2024)

Comment Email and Contacts: 

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Group 4 - Water Allocation and Use, Chapters 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55

Short Summary: Group 4 contains the Water Allocation and Use 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 chapter (a new Chapter 50), and to revise chapter 53, 54, and 55. The new chapter 50, changes versions of chapters 50, 51, and 52, and clean and changes versions of chapters 53, 54, and 55 are posted below.

Fact Sheet: Please see the following fact sheet for a high-level overview of the proposed changes to the Water Allocation and Use chapters.

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

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

  • Chapter 50 Documents (50, 51, and 52 Combined Rule):
  • Chapter 53 Documents (Protected Water Sources):
    • Chapter 53 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 53 Current Rule
    • Chapter 53 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024)
  • Chapter 54 Documents (Water Use Permit Restrictions and Well Interference Compensation):
    • Chapter 54 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 54 Current Rule
    • Chapter 54 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024)
  • Chapter 55 Documents (Aquifer Storage and Recovery):
    • Chapter 55 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 55 Current Rule
    • Chapter 55 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024)

Comment Emails and Contacts:

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Groups 5 and 6 - Wastewater Construction and Operation Permits and Sludge, Chapters 60, 62, 63, 64, 66, and 67

Short Summary: Group 5 contains the wastewater chapters regarding definitions and forms (60), effluent and pretreatment standards (62) and wastewater monitoring and reporting requirements (63). Group 6 contains the wastewater construction and operating permit requirements and the rule-referenced Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards (IWFDS) (64), pesticide applications (66), and the land application of sewage sludge (67).

Fact Sheets: Please see the following fact sheets for a high-level overview of the proposed changes to each Chapter and to the Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards (IWFDS). The fact sheets also contain a description of the formatting in the proposed changes documents linked below.

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

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

Comment Email and Contacts: Please email comments and questions on the proposed changes to npdes.mail@dnr.iowa.gov. 

The contacts for the chapters and the IWFDS are:

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

Short Summary: Group 7 contains the chapters regarding commercial septic tank cleaners (Chapter 68) and private sewage disposal systems (Chapter 69). The proposed changes to Chapters 68 and 69 are posted below.

Fact Sheet: Please see the following fact sheet for a high-level overview of the proposed changes to the Wastewater Chapters, including Chapters 68 and 69. The fact sheet also contains a description of the formatting in the proposed changes documents linked below.

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

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

  • Chapter 68 Documents:
    • Chapter 68 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 68 Current Rule
    • Chapter 68 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024)
  • Chapter 69 Documents:
    • Chapter 69 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 69 Current Rule
    • Chapter 69 Proposed Changes (as of 7/29/2024)

Comment Email and Contacts: Please email comments and questions on the proposed changes to npdes.mail@dnr.iowa.gov. 

The contacts for Chapters 68 and 69 are:

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

Short Summary: Group 8 contains the chapters regarding water and wastewater operator certification (Chapter 81) and laboratory certification (Chapter 83). The proposed changes to Chapters 81 and 83 are posted below.

Fact Sheets: Please see the following fact sheets for a high-level overview of the proposed changes to each SRF chapter.

  • Operator Certification EO10 Fact Sheet, Chapter 81

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

  • Chapter 81 Documents:
    • Chapter 81 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 81 Current Rule
    • Chapter 81 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024)
  • Chapter 83 Documents:
    • Chapter 83 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 83 Current Rule
    • Chapter 83 Proposed Changes (as of 9/4/2024)

Comment Emails and Contacts: 

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Group 9 - Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (SRF), Chapters 90, 91, 92, 93, and 44

Short Summary: Group 9 contains Chapters 90 (Scope of Title - Definitions - Forms), Chapter 91 (Criteria for Ranking Projects for the CWSRF), Chapter 92 (Clean Water State Revolving Fund), Chapter 93 (Nonpoint Source Pollution Control Programs), and Chapter 44 (Drinking Water State Revolving Fund). We are proposing to combine Chapters 90 through 93 in to one chapter, a new Chapter 90, and the proposed changes to 90 through 93, the new Chapter 90, and a Fact Sheet regarding the changes are posted below. The proposed changes to Chapter 44 are also posted below.

Fact Sheets: Please see the following fact sheets for a high-level overview of the proposed changes to the SRF chapters.

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

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

  • Chapter 90 Documents (90-93 Combined Rule):
    • Chapter 90, 91, 92, 93 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 90 Current Rule
    • Chapter 90 Proposed Changes (as of 7/24/2024)
  • Chapter 91 Documents: 
  • Chapter 92 Documents:
  • Chapter 93 Documents:
  • Chapter 44 Documents:
    • Chapter 44 Regulatory Analysis (as published in the IAB 9/4/2024)
    • Chapter 44 Current Rule
    • Chapter 44 Proposed Changes (as of 7/24/2024)
    • Chapter 44 Clean (as of 9/4/2024) (Rule changes that should have been in regulatory analysis will be in NOIA)

Comment Emails and Contacts: 

Chapters 90 - 93: 

Chapter 44: 

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