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County renews five‑year agreement with Iowa DNR to keep well‑permitting authority
Summary
Benton County supervisors approved a five‑year '28E' agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to retain local permitting authority for new well installations, reconstruction and abandonment; the county will continue charging a $225 permit fee and remit $25 to the DNR.
Benton County supervisors approved resolution 26‑66 to renew a five‑year '28E' agreement with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that delegates permitting authority for water wells to the county.
Environmental health staff explained that the county charges $225 for new well permits, remitting $25 to the DNR and retaining $200 for local administration. "So every 5 years, the county signs the DNR 28 e agreement that allows the county permitting authority over the installation of new wells, reconstruction of wells, and abandonment of wells," the presenter said. Staff said permit records and inspections are documented in the state's IWIS system, which is publicly available and transmits data back to the DNR.
The board voted to adopt the agreement after members confirmed the last signing occurred in 2021 and that ordinances referencing state chapter 49 remain in place. The action keeps the county authorized to inspect wells, verify setback requirements and issue permits locally; staff noted records must be reported to the DNR through IWIS. The county also discussed administrative steps: both the 28E agreement and a 28P form will need signatures to complete the renewal.
