Stormwater Compliance in Iowa– What Your Facility Needs to Know
Stormwater Compliance in Iowa– What Your Facility Needs to Know
Stormwater compliance is more than just a regulatory requirement– it’s a proactive approach to minimizing risk. Ensuring your facility is properly permitted and managing runoff responsibly helps prevent pollution, avoid costly fines, and demonstrates your commitment to customers, partners and the community.
What is Stormwater?
Stormwater is precipitation, such as rain or snowmelt, that flows over land surfaces without soaking into the soil. This runoff, often from rooftops, roads, and driveways, is known as stormwater runoff. At industrial sites, it can pick up pollutants like sediments, heavy metals, oils, and hazardous chemicals. As it travels, the runoff can carry these pollutants into storm drains or directly into nearby water bodies, impacting drinking water, recreational areas, and aquatic ecosystems. In 1992, the EPA authorized the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to issue permits under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), aiming to improve water quality by reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff.
What Types of NPDES Permits Does the Iowa DNR Issue?
There are different types of NPDES Permits and categories of activity that must be covered under some type of permit. For more
information visit our webpage on stormwater permits.
- General Permit No. 1: For industrial stormwater discharges from activities like manufacturing or raw material storage.
- General Permit No. 2: For construction activities disturbing one acre or more.
- General Permit No. 3: For discharges from asphalt plants, concrete plants, gravel operations, and rock crushing.
- Individual Permit: For facilities needing site-specific permit conditions.
You can view active and expired stormwater permits in the Iowa DNR’s Stormwater Database.
How Do I Know If I Need a Stormwater Discharge Permit?
If your facility performs any of the activities listed above, your facility is likely required to be covered under a stormwater permit. Industrial and commercial activities that have “stormwater discharge associated with industrial activity” and that fall within specifically listed Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes are required to obtain permit coverage. A list of those SIC codes can be found HERE.
Are There any Exemptions?
Yes. A No Exposure Certification is available for facilities covered under General Permit No. 1 and may be applicable if certain conditions are met. A complete list of these conditions can be found in the DNR’s No Exposure Certification Form at https://www.iowadnr.gov/portals/idnr/uploads/forms/5421249.pdf.
What to Do Before Applying for a Stormwater Permit
- Develop a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP)
- General requirements of a SWPPP include identifying a team to implement the plan, identifying potential pollution sources, developing a site map, creating best management practices to reduce stormwater contaminants, implementing appropriate controls, conducting employee training, recordkeeping, etc.
- Make a Public Notice
- Place a public notice in the largest newspaper in your local area stating that you are applying for a storm water discharge permit.
- Download Public Notice Form from Iowa DNR
- Submit a Notice of Intent (NOI) and Permit Fee
- Follow our Stormwater Permit Application Guide, to submit an online NOI or
- Download the paper form, attach a copy of the public notice, include the payment for the permit fee and mail it to the address on the form.
Have Questions or Need Assistance?
The Iowa Waste Reduction Center offers FREE assistance with every step of the stormwater permitting process. Whether you're determining applicability, developing a SWPPP, publishing your public notice, or submitting your permit application, we’re here to help.
Meet your Environmental Assistance Team
319-273-8905
