The department reviews wastewater construction permit applications to determine that plans and specifications for wastewater treatment facilities are complete with regard to the minimum state requirements. The department also reviews the application to determine if the proposed construction utilizations wastewater industry accepted design standards to protect public health and the environment. Construction permit applications using wastewater treatment technology in an innovative way or new wastewater treatment technologies are to protect the public health and the environment.

New or modified earthen basins used for wastewater storage, process wastewater storage, or wastewater treatment are required to obtain a wastewater construction permit. This also includes industrial operations, sewer extensions and/or pump stations and Class I Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations. There are exemptions for the requirement to obtain a construction permit as identified in 10 CSR 20-6.010.

An approved facility plan is required prior to submittal of a construction permit application. 

You can search the department’s Missouri Clean Water Information System for construction permit applications in process.  

You can find effective final Issued Site-Specific Construction Permits.

Length of Permit 

All construction permits shall expire two years from the date of issuance unless the permittee notifies the department within their application of the necessity for a longer construction period or the permittee applies for an extension. The permittee must submit their extension request 30 days prior to the construction permit expiration. If there are changes, the department may require the applicant to apply for a new construction permit.

Laws, Rules and Regulations

How to Apply

Applications

Fact Sheets

Fees

  • $1,000 for wastewater treatment plants with design flow < 500,000 gpd 
  • $3,000 for wastewater treatment plants with design flow < 500,000 gpd 
  • $250 variance fee

Timeline/ Process

One of the most important steps in designing or upgrading wastewater systems is obtaining planning and design services. All engineering reports, plans and specifications must be signed, sealed and dated by a professional engineer licensed in Missouri. You can search for a licensed professional engineer in the state of Missouri on the Missouri Division of Professional Registration's Licensee Search.

Qualifications-based selection (QBS) is a recommended process to select an engineering firm based on qualifications and competence relative to the work to be performed. For more information, review the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Missouri's QBS - Important Info webpage.

Once the department receives a construction permit application, a preliminary review is completed within the first week to determine if all documents are included with the application. A complete application includes an approved facility plan, a properly signed application, an application fee, and signed and sealed detailed plans and specifications. The detailed technical review time varies dependent on the complexity of the project and the quality of the submittal. There is a statutory timeline of 180 days to issue a construction permit; however, construction permits are issued in an average of 135 calendar days from receipt of the application. The department will request additional information if the application is not complete, which will delay the review process.

Public Participation

Public participation during the construction permitting stage ensures public input for department consideration prior to approval of construction activities. The department shall place a public notice of the antidegradation determination on the department’s website and allow the public an opportunity to provide comments for a minimum of 30 days prior to issuing a construction permit when:

  • Construction activities require an antidegradation determination.
  • Construction activities will result in new or changed effluent limitations.

The department may public notice a construction permit if that permit utilizes a department approved alternative design. 

The department does not have jurisdiction to address questions of zoning, location, property values or other issues not related to water quality.

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

Applicants seeking a construction permit shall submit a facility plan or engineering report, signed and sealed by a Missouri registered professional engineer. 

Antidegradation

Antidegradation reviews are applicable to all new or expanded regulated discharges, including new pollutants of concern, outfall relocation, or changes in production processes. The antidegradation review process is intended to achieve the highest statutory and regulatory requirements and ensure that the proposed discharges fully protect beneficial uses such as swimming, fishing, aquatic life, and drinking water supply protection. In addition, the applicant must demonstrate that the discharge is necessary and has social and economic importance. Each community is different and the social and economic evaluation requires the consideration of factors and potential impacts unique to the community. Through the antidegradation review process, new or expanded discharges are evaluated for no-discharge options, treatment options that meet the water quality-based effluent limits, and treatment options that provide higher levels of treatment. These alternatives are compared (in terms of practicability, economic efficiency and affordability) in ability to protect water quality.

Public participation through the permitting process is a component of the antidegradation review process. The intergovernmental coordination and review process occurs prior to the issuance of any final determination on the social and economic importance of the proposed discharge. The antidegradation analysis and decision are only considered final when a permitting decision has been made that incorporates the public participation process, and the antidegradation review may be revised based on comments received. Visit the department’s antidegradation website to learn more and find necessary forms.

Operator Certification

The use or operation of this facility shall be in accordance with Operator Certification requirements 10 CSR 20-9. Certified wastewater operators perform the daily operational activities at the facility to ensure they are discharging treated wastewater in an environmental safe manner to Missouri’s rivers, lakes and streams. Visit the department’s website to learn more about the Operator Certification program.

Land Disturbance Permit

A land disturbance permit is required if construction will result in the disturbance of one or more acres of land. A Construction Land Disturbance Permit (MO-RA00000) is available through the department's ePermitting system. A permit fee in accordance with 10 CSR 20-6.011(2)(E) is required.

Reporting

Once construction is complete, the owner or engineer will need to inform the department through submittal of the Wastewater Construction Statement of Work Completed MO 780-2155 form. A wastewater construction permit does not relieve a facility from reporting requirements in other permits, such as wastewater operating permits.

Renewal

Not applicable.

Resources

If the proposed construction is using a new or innovative technology, visit the department’s Innovative Technologies website for additional information on additional requirements and technologies the department has seen.

Additional Information

Land Disturbance Permit

This master general permit does not cover land disturbance activities or construction of earthen basins. Land disturbance activities disturbing one or more acres of total area for the entire project or less than one acre for sites that are part of a common promotional plan of development may require a land disturbance permit.

Major Water User

Any surface or groundwater user with a water source and the equipment necessary to withdraw or divert 100,000 gallons (or 70 gallons per minute) or more per day combined from all sources from any stream, river, lake, well, spring or other water source is considered a major water user in Missouri. All major water users are required by law to register water use annually. 

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