 Indoor Air Quality
 Radon Kits
 Lead Poisoning Prevention
 Well Water Testing
 Well Water Drilling & Abandoned Well plugging
 Onsite Waste Water Treatment Systems
 Health Nuisances
 Public Health Bio-Terrorism
 Food & Consumer Safety
 Food Service Establishments (restaurants)
 Retail Food Establishments (grocery stores)
 Hotel/Motels
 Mobile Food Units
 Home Food
 Temporary Food Stands
 Farmers Markets & Vending Licenses
 Swimming Pool/Spa Program
 Tanning Facilities Program
 Tattoo Program
 Recycling

To drill a well a State and a Counties permit are required. The well driller will work with ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Department to see that they are in compliance with these rules. After the well is completed, a water test is done as part of the permit. Heat pump wells also require a permit.

One of the most important part of the program is the Grants to Counties program for providing cost share money to plug abandoned wells, rehabilitate existing wells, and to do water testing on existing wells. The state provides each county with funds to utilize for these programs. Applications are available at ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Department.

A low-interest Loan Program to upgrade outdated Septic Systems: Upgraded onsite wastewater treatment systems, called “onsite systems”, differ from outdated septic systems in that they include both a septic tank and a secondary wastewater treatment system. The secondary treatment system, such as a soil absorption leach field adequately treats wastewater by destroying harmful bacteria and viruses and by reducing human waste loads before discharging it to the environment. Therefore, replacing outdated septic systems with approved onsite systems helps prevent further pollution of surface water, groundwater, and water wells in Iowa. Lenders issue the loans at interest rates of 3% or less, for amounts of between $2000 - $10,000, for a maximum repayment period of 10 years. The program limits eligibility to owners of existing homes (NOT new construction), in unincorporated areas in Iowa not served by a public sewer.

 Contact ADLM Counties Environmental Public Health Department for an onsite system construction permit.
 Obtain bids from bonded septic contractors for the approved onsite system.
 Apply for a loan through a participating lender (Contact ADLM, which lenders are participating), showing evidence of county approval and contractor bids for the project.

Iowa's time of transfer septic system inspection law (SF261) was passed by the Iowa legislature in April of 2008 and took effect July 1, 2009. The new law requires that every home/building served by a septic system have that septic system inspected prior to the sale or deed transfer for the home/building. The purpose of the law is to eliminate sub-standard or polluting septic systems. A sub-standard septic system is one that has no treatment (secondary treatment) following the septic tank or has a secondary treatment system that has failed. These sub-standard septic systems pose an environmental and public health hazard and require repair. If you have a septic system with a septic tank AND a secondary treatment system such as a seepage (leach) field, sand filter or other approved device, and it is not creating a public health or environmental hazard, it does not have to meet current code. All inspections must be conducted by an inspector that has been certified by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

To become a certified time of transfer inspector you must fill out the Certified Time of Transfer Inspector Application (see below), Form 542-0192, and submit it to the DNR. To qualify for the time of transfer inspector training you must have one of the following:

 Two (2) years of experience in the operation, installation, inspection, design or maintenance of private sewage disposal systems (onsite wastewater treatment or septic systems).
 Completed the "Basics of Onsite 101" class offered by the Onsite Wastewater Training Center of Iowa or an equivalent class approved by the department.

Submit your application to:

Time of Transfer Inspector Certification
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
502 E. 9th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034

Once your application is approved, you must sign up for and complete the time of transfer inspector training offered by Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC)/Onsite Wastewater Training Center of Iowa and pass the test given at the end of the training. The cost for the Time of Transfer Inspector class is $300 payable to DMACC. Sign up for the Inspector Training class at the Onsite Wastewater Training Center of Iowa website or by calling DMACC at 515-964-6464.  Once you have complete the training and the test, you will be notified of the test results and billed for the test fee ($50) and the certification fee ($300), payable to IDNR, if you pass. Pay the invoice and you will receive your certification. 

If you have questions about time of transfer inspections or the requirements to become certified please call Daniel Olson, IDNR, at 515-281-8263