A water system must obtain a construction permit from the department prior to construction of a new public water system, expansions, alterations or modifications of an existing public water system. This includes waterline extensions, waterline replacements, drilling a water supply well, constructing a storage tank, adding a disinfection system, treatment changes, building a pump station or other improvements or modifications.

Construction of new public water systems and expansions, alterations, or modifications of an existing public water system must conform to the department’s Design Standards. These standards consist of proven technology, engineering principles, and sound water works practices used by consulting engineers to prepare plans and specifications for submittal to the department for review and approval. The department has included additional information about design standards under the Fact Sheets section of this page.  

The Permits and Engineering Section is responsible for reviewing and approving engineering documents submitted by public water systems. Staff ensure engineering documents meet the Safe Drinking Water Regulations and Design Standards. The section also ensures water systems have technical, managerial and financial capacity before issuing a Permit to Dispense.

Implementation of the Backflow Prevention Program protects source water and prevent cross connections. Staff utilize the Area Wide Optimization Program to provide technical assistance.
The department will also complete a review of the Technical, Managerial and Financial capacity of a water system as a part of the Permit to Dispense application for Community and Nontransient Noncommunity water systems.

Water System Classifications

Community Water System - A public water system which serves at least 15 service connections and is operated on a year-round basis or regularly serves at least 25 residents on a year-round basis. These systems include towns, water districts, subdivisions, mobile home parks and residential facilities such as nursing homes or prisons.

Nontransient Noncommunity Water System - A public water system that is not a community water system and that regularly serves at least 25 of the same persons over six months per year. These systems include schools and factories.

Transient Noncommunity Water System - A public water system that is not a community water system, which has at least 15 service connections or regularly serves an average of at least 25 individuals daily at least 60 days out of the year. These systems include restaurants, resorts and campgrounds. These smaller systems are typically located in rural areas where it is not feasible to connect to a municipal water supply or water district.

Length of Permit

The permit will remain effective for the life of the facility. However, if a facility is no longer in compliance with state and federal regulations, the department can decide to revoke the permit. When problems occur at facilities, the department’s compliance and enforcement staff offer technical assistance and compliance assistance to try resolve the problems as fast and effectively as possible.

Laws, Rules and Regulations

How to Apply

Applications

Fact Sheets

Fees

No fees to apply for this permit. However, there are annual drinking water fees, which include primacy, laboratory certification and services, administration, and operator certification fees. These fees are based on type of facility and population.

Timeline/ Process

Average processing time for this permit is 60 days. The department will request additional information if the application is not complete, which will delay the review process.

Public Participation

No public participation required before a permit to dispense may be approved. 

Fluoridation Modification Public Notice

Any public water system or public water supply district that intends to make modifications to fluoridation of its water supply shall notify the departments of natural resources and health and senior services as well as its customers of its intentions at least 90 days prior to any vote on the matter.

Public Notification Code of State Regulations 10 CSR 60-8.010 - require public notification of conditions affecting a public water supply. The public notice requirements are divided into three tiers, to take into account the seriousness of the violation or situation and of any potential adverse health effects that may be involved. The requirements for each violation or situation are determined by the tier level.

Administrative Hearing Commission

Anyone who is adversely affected by the director's decision to issue, deny, suspend or revoke a permit must appeal within 30 days of the decision to the Administrative Hearing Commission as provided by 621.250.3 RSMo. All appeals must be filed by petition and send to:

Administrative Hearing Commission
PO Box 1557
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: 573-751-2422
Fax: 573-751-5018
Website: Administrative Hearing Commission

Requirements

Reporting

Missouri requires testing for 91 different regulated chemicals and microbiological contaminants on a regular schedule. 

If the system incurs three or more total coliform maximum contaminant level violations in a 12 month period or one acute maximum contaminant level violation, the system owner shall either provide an alternate source of water, eliminate the source of contamination or provide treatment that reliably achieves at least 99.999 percent treatment of viruses.

Emergency Operations Plan

Every community system needs an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP). However, the small systems with population less than 50,000 do not need to submit it along with the permit to dispense application, but an EOP is required as part of the Permit to Dispense application for community water systems with a population of more than 50,000.

Sample Emergency Operations Plans (EOP)

•    Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies - Introduction
•    Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies - Who Does What?
•    Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies - Groundwater
•    Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies - Surface Water
•    Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies - Water Distribution Emergencies
•    Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies - Water Distribution Emergencies - Security Threat
•    Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies - Damage Assessment Forms
•    Emergency Operating Plan for Public Water Supplies - Emergency Plan Forms

Backflow Prevention

Backflow is the undesirable reversal of flow in a potable water distribution system through a cross-connection. A cross-connection is an actual or potential link connecting a source of pollution or contamination with a potable water supply. Backflow may allow liquids, gases, non-potable water and other substances from any source, to enter a public water system. Backflow prevention devices prevent contaminated water or chemicals from flowing back into the public drinking water supply system.

Certain types of properties or facilities are legally mandated to install and operate backflow prevention devices. Additional information regarding requirements may be found in the 10 CSR 60-11.010 Prevention of Backflow Code of State Regulations.

•    Backflow Prevention
•    Backflow Prevention Assembly Tester Certification
•    List of Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers

Record Maintenance

All suppliers of water to a public water system must retain records on their premises or at a convenient location nearby. Additional information regarding record maintenance may be found in the 10 CSR 60.9.010 Requirements for Maintaining Public Water System Records Code of State Regulations.

Renewal

Renewal process?????

Resources

Technical, Managerial and Financial Capacity

Public water systems can face unique financial and operational challenges in consistently providing drinking water that meets federal and state standards. Capacity development is a process water systems use to acquire and maintain adequate technical, managerial and financial capacity. Review of the Technical, Managerial and Financial capacity of a water system is a part of the Permit to Dispense application for Community and Nontransient Noncommunity water systems starting after Oct. 1, 1999.

Owner Supervised Program Request Form MO 780-2928 - Per 10 CSR 60-10.010(2)(B) - A supplier of water to a community water supply that desires to conduct a supervised program for construction of water distribution systems, in lieu of submitting plans for approval, must submit to the department a written request for approval. Approval of supervised programs may be granted for a period of up to five years. Supervised programs will be periodically reviewed by the department and may be revoked should the supplier of water fail to conduct the program in accordance with the approved plan.

Operator Certification

Water and wastewater professionals play a critical role in keeping Missourians healthy and our communities strong. These are the individuals that perform the daily operational activities at drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. Learn more about operator certification.

Water Financial Assistance Opportunities

The department offers various grants and loans to provide financial assistance to individuals, businesses and municipalities to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to develop sustainable practices that protect Missouri’s drinking water. Learn more about water financial assistance opportunities.

Area Wide Optimization Program

The Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) is a program designed to achieve optimized performance at surface water plants. AWOP is a voluntary approach that allows water systems to improve water quality beyond regulatory levels to enhance public health protection with minimal capital cost.

Abandonment of water source????

Design Standards

Construction of new public water systems and expansions, alterations, or modifications of an existing public water system must conform to the department’s Design Standards. These standards consist of proven technology, engineering principles and sound water works practices used by consulting engineers to prepare plans and specifications for submittal to the department for review and approval.

Popular Links

Boil Water Orders
Drought
Groundwater Levels
Issued Site-Specific Wastewater Permits
Operator Certification
Permits, Certification, Engineering, Fees
Water Monitoring and Data
Wells and Drilling
Commissions, Boards and Councils
Water Public Notices
Report an Environmental Concern or Submit a Question
About Us

Related Links

Issued Drinking Water Permits

Contact Information