Natural Disaster Assistance for Missouri Citizens - What to do After the Flood - Regulatory and Permitting Requirements
| Department of Natural Resources fact sheet | 03/2014 |
| Department of Natural Resources Director: Carol S. Comer | PUB02219 |
800-361-4827
Public Water Supply Systems
Permits are not required for restoring power supply, including raising electrical service and
equipment to a higher elevation. The repair of washed-out stream crossing, repairing or replacing
existing water mains, and repairing or replacing water distribution systems will be considered
maintenance, and will require no permit. Repair of flooded water supply wells and water treatment
plants using identical parts and components will not require a permit.
Other improvements such as raising portions of the water treatment plants, water supply wells or backwash discharge lines should be reviewed by the department and issued an approval permit.
Municipal officials are encouraged to rely upon the knowledge and expertise of their own staffs. Department of Natural Resources operations specialists and engineering staff are also available for onsite consultation and advice.
Laboratory Testing
Analysis of drinking water samples will be the highest priority for both the Department of Natural
Resources and the Department of Health and Senior Services. Lab testing requirements for
public water systems will be coordinated by the department’s Public Drinking Water Branch.
Private well testing will be coordinated by the Department of Health and Senior Services. Containers
for sampling private drinking water wells are available through the county health departments
or your district sanitarian. If you need assistance call the Department of Health and
Senior Services’ State Public Health Laboratory at 573-751-0633.
Septic Tank Failures
See the department’s fact sheet Disaster Response for On-Site Wastewater Systems to assist
individuals with septic tank failures available on the web at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/disaster.htm.
Contact your local county health department or the Missouri Department of Health and Senior
Services, Bureau of Environmental Regulations and Licensure, at 573-751-6095, with questions
about on-site wastewater system repair or replacement.
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Construction permits are not required for emergency measures to return sewage collection or
treatment facilities to service or to replace identical parts or components to sewage collection or
treatment facilities.
Construction permits are required for facilities that are repaired or rebuilt to a design that is
different from the previous facility or for new facilities.
Municipal officials are encouraged to rely upon the knowledge and expertise of their own staffs. Department of Natural Resources operations specialists and engineering staff are also available
for onsite consultation and advice.
Rehabilitation
Damaged or Unusable Hazardous Chemicals at Businesses
- Owners, managers and employees returning to a business that has been affected by a natural disaster may find materials or products that are damaged and unusable. Products labeled with words such as POISON, DANGER, WARNING or CAUTION contain hazardous chemicals. Materials used in business activity, manufacturing or maintenance may have hazardous characteristics. They may be TOXIC, EXPLOSIVE, IGNITABLE OR CORROSIVE.
- If possible, recover these materials for use for their intended purpose. If this is not possible, the damaged or unusable hazardous materials should be separated from other debris or solid waste and placed in containers so that further human contact and release to the environment is minimized. Permanently mark the outside of the container with the name of the material inside and the potential hazard (example: Endrin Waste – TOXIC).
- Use extreme caution when cleaning up hazardous materials in leaking or damaged containers. Wear protective garments and emergency breathing apparatus if necessary. Do not work around these damaged products in confined or poorly ventilated areas. Obtain professional hazardous materials response and cleanup services if appropriate.
- Storm or building debris that is contaminated with hazardous materials may need to be handled and disposed of as hazardous waste.
- Disposal of hazardous materials as hazardous waste must be in accord with the Missouri Hazardous Waste Management Law and Regulations using a licensed hazardous materials transporter at a permitted hazardous waste disposal facility.
- Contact one of the department’s regional offices or the Hazardous Waste Program if specific guidance is needed on determining whether a waste is hazardous and how to properly manage and dispose of the waste.
Drums, Tanks and Barrels
- Most barrels that wash up in a flood are open-burn barrels, trash barrels or dock barrels.
- There may be danger in sealed barrels, drums or tanks with unknown contents. These should be handled by trained professionals. If you find sealed drums, barrels or tanks of unknown contents, call the department’s Environmental Emergency Response staff at 573-634-2436.
- If a propane tank is in flood debris, a company distributing gas may be able to identify the tank and return it to its proper location. Propane tanks have serial numbers that help to identify owners and locations.
- If propane tanks are present or are found and there is reason to believe that they may be unsafe, contact the local emergency management coordinator, or the department’s Environmental Emergency Response staff at 800-361-4827 or 573-634-2436.
- If an above-ground storage tank is damaged, follow your facility emergency response procedures, and contact the local emergency management coordinator or the department’s Environmental Emergency Response staff at 800-361-4827 or 573-634-2436.
Flood Debris
The following suggestions may assist in collection, separation, transportation and disposal of
flood debris and water damage items.
- Perform a visual survey of the flooded areas and determine the basic types of waste and estimated quantity. Common major categories are general household waste, household chemicals or hazardous wastes, structural debris and lumber, dead animals, major appliances, tires, wood or vegetative waste and sandbags. All major categories of waste should be separated to prevent dangerous chemicals from mixing and for ease of handling and recycling of solid waste.
- Begin arranging for the processing, transportation and disposal of all categories of waste planned for collection as soon as possible.
- Locate suitable areas for accumulation and temporary storage of debris. Allow adequate
space for separately storing different types of debris, on-site processing and adequate turn
around space for semi-trailers. - Arrange for transfer trailers to be located at collection centers and publicize these drop-off locations.
- Notify neighborhoods of specific collection schedules for different types of flood debris.
- Remove flood debris to areas that will not be further flooded, so it does not get washed into streams or rivers
- Monitor the drop-off sites and control access to prevent mixing the wastes and dumping of hazardous materials.
- County and City officials must notify the Department of Natural Resources of all temporary waste transfer locations. To notify by telephone, call the appropriate Regional Office.
For more information, see the department’s fact sheet What to do with Disaster Debris available on the web at http://www.dnr.mo.gov/disaster.htm.
Trapped or Ponded Flood Waters
Flood waters trapped behind levees or ponds in low-lying areas may be pumped or released
back to the adjacent river or stream without obtaining a discharge permit from the Department of
Natural Resources. If there is reason to believe that the trapped flood water is contaminated
with agricultural fertilizers or pesticides, petroleum products or other chemical contaminants,
contact the department’s Environmental Emergency Response hotline at 573-634-2436.
Regional Offices
The Department of Natural Resources’ Regional Offices provide field inspections, complaint
investigation and front-line troubleshooting, problem solving and compliance assistance on
environmental issues and emergencies.
Kansas City Regional Office
500 NE Colbern Road
Lee’s Summit, MO 64086-4710
816-251-0700
816-622-7044 fax
Counties served: Andrew, Atchison, Bates, Benton, Buchanan, Caldwell, Cass, Clay, Clinton,
Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Harrison, Henry, Holt, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Nodaway, Pettis,
Platte, Ray and Worth.
Northeast Regional Office
1709 Prospect Dr.
Macon, MO 63552-2602
660-385-8000
660-385-8090 fax
Counties served: Adair, Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Carroll, Chariton, Clark, Cole, Cooper,
Grundy, Howard, Knox, Lewis, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Marion, Mercer, Moniteau, Monroe,
Osage, Pike, Putnam, Ralls, Randolph, Saline, Schuyler, Scotland, Shelby and Sullivan.
Southeast Regional Office
2155 N. Westwood Blvd.
P.O. Box 1420
Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
573-840-9750
573-840-9754 fax
Counties served: Bollinger, Butler, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Crawford, Dent, Dunklin, Howell,
Iron, Madison, Maries, Mississippi, New Madrid, Oregon, Pemiscot, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski,
Reynolds, Ripley, Scott, Shannon, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve, Stoddard, Texas, Washington
and Wayne.
Southwest Regional Office
2040 W. Woodland
Springfield, MO 65807-5912
417-891-4300
417-891-4399 fax
Counties served: Barry, Barton, Camden, Cedar, Christian, Dade, Dallas, Douglas, Greene,
Hickory, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, McDonald, Miller, Morgan, Newton, Ozark, Polk, St. Clair,
Stone, Taney, Vernon, Webster and Wright.
St. Louis Regional Office
7545 S. Lindbergh, Suite 210
St. Louis, MO 63125
314-416-2960
314-416-2970 fax
Counties served: Franklin, Gasconade, Jefferson, Lincoln, Montgomery, St. Charles and St.
Louis.