Construction Permits

The Wastewater Engineering Section receives wastewater construction permit application submittals and issues permits and approvals electronically. Construction permit applications, plans, and specifications and all other sealed, certified, and signed engineering documents submitted with electronic signatures are acceptable and original signatures are not required.

• New Permit Applications and Work Record Requests:  Submit all new wastewater construction permit applications (along with plans and specifications) and work record requests to the following email address:
  •  wastewater-engineering@dnr.iowa.gov. 
  • Email attachment size is limited to 25 MB. Please use zip files or other options to submit attachments greater than 25 MB and communicate that in your email submittal.
• Projects with previously assigned project manager: Email all documents, including design flows and loads, antidegradation alternatives analyses, facility plans, construction permit applications (including plans and specifications), addenda, and/or change orders directly to the project manager. 
  • Project manager assignments can be found in the Water/Wastewater Permits Information System and Records Database (W/Wisard).
• Construction Permit Fees: To make an electronic payment, proceed to the DNR Payment System and choose “Pay Wastewater Construction Permit Fee”. Fill the information on the form and follow the on-screen instructions.

Construction Permitting Information

Construction, installation or modification of any wastewater disposal system, including sanitary sewer extensions, requires a construction permit issued by the DNR. Review of applications for construction permits is based on the criteria contained in the Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards (IWFDS), the Ten States Standards, applicable federal guidelines and standards, standard textbooks, current technical literature and applicable safety standards. To the extent of any conflict between the above criteria the IWFDS shall prevail. 

A construction permit is not required for storm sewers or storm water disposal systems that transport only storm water, or for construction of a new disposal system or an extension or addition to any existing disposal system that receives only domestic or sanitary sewage from a building or housing or occupied by 15 persons or less.

• Application Submittal - Applications for a construction permit must be submitted at least 120 days in advance of the construction start date. The DNR will issue a construction permit within 60 days of receipt of a complete application or will deny the construction permit in writing unless a longer review period is required and the applicant is notified. The construction permit shall expire if construction has not commenced within one year of the permit issuance date. The DNR may grant a time extension to commence construction if it is necessary or justified.
• Rules - Applicable rules for wastewater construction permitting are located in Chapter 64 of the Iowa Administrative Code (567 IAC 64). The current Iowa Wastewater Facilities Design Standards are located on the Design Standards Webpage.
• Work Record Requests - For assignment of a construction permitting project to DNR staff, a work record request must be submitted. All new work record requests for DNR project manager assignment must be submitted 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 response will be sent to the requestor acknowledging DNR receipt of the work request.
• Antidegradation - Iowa's Antidegradation Policy rule, 567 IAC 61.2(2), became effective on February 17, 2010 and was approved by EPA on September 30, 2010. When required, Antidegradation Alternatives Analyses must be completed in accordance with the rule and the Iowa Antidegradation Implementation Procedure, submitted to the Wastewater Engineering Section for wastewater construction projects, and coordinated with the Iowa DNR project manager for the specific project. Antidegradation forms, examples, and additional information can be found on the Iowa DNR Water Quality Standards Antidegradation webpage. 

Permit Process Documents

Permit Application Forms

Permitting Process Manual Documents

  SRF Information and resources can be found on IowaSRF.com

Construction Permit Database

The Water/Wastewater Information System and Records Database (W/Wisard) is an online database that provides public access to information related to current and past wastewater construction projects. The purpose of W/Wisard is to track the progress of water supply and wastewater construction projects, including those being financed through the State Revolving Fund (SRF). Project searches can be conducted utilizing a number of criteria, including specific facilities or locations.

Access the Water/Wastewater Information System and Records Database (W/Wizard).

To initiate a search for a wastewater engineering project in W/Wizard, click on the "Wastewater/CWSRF Public Search" button.