Section 455E.1 – Title.

455E.1 Title. This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Groundwater Protection Act”. 87 Acts, ch 225, §101

Section 455E.10 – Joint duties — local authority.

455E.10 Joint duties — local authority. 1. All state agencies shall consider groundwater protection policies in the administration of their programs. Local agencies shall consider groundwater protection policies in their programs. All agencies shall cooperate with the department in disseminating public information and education materials concerning the use and protection of groundwater, in collecting groundwater […]

Section 455E.11 – Groundwater protection fund established — appropriations.

455E.11 Groundwater protection fund established — appropriations. 1. a. A groundwater protection fund is created in the state treasury. Moneys received from sources designated for purposes related to groundwater monitoring and groundwater quality standards shall be deposited in the fund. Notwithstanding section 8.33, any unexpended balances in the groundwater protection fund and in any of […]

Section 455E.2 – Definitions.

455E.2 Definitions. As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires: 1. “Active cleanup” means removal, treatment, or isolation of a contaminant from groundwater through the directed efforts of humans. 2. “Commission” means the environmental protection commission created under section 455A.6. 3. “Contaminant” means any chemical, ion, radionuclide, synthetic organic compound, microorganism, waste, or […]

Section 455E.3 – Findings.

455E.3 Findings. The general assembly finds that: 1. Groundwater is a precious and vulnerable natural resource. The vast majority of persons in the state depend on groundwater as a drinking water source. Agriculture, commerce, and industry also depend heavily on groundwater. Historically, the majority of Iowa’s groundwater has been usable for these purposes without treatment. […]

Section 455E.4 – Groundwater protection goal.

455E.4 Groundwater protection goal. The intent of the state is to prevent contamination of groundwater from point and nonpoint sources of contamination to the maximum extent practical, and if necessary to restore the groundwater to a potable state, regardless of present condition, use, or characteristics. 87 Acts, ch 225, §104 Referred to in §455B.307

Section 455E.5 – Groundwater protection policies.

455E.5 Groundwater protection policies. 1. It is the policy of the state to prevent further contamination of groundwater from any source to the maximum extent practical. 2. The discovery of any groundwater contamination shall require appropriate actions to prevent further contamination. These actions may consist of investigation and evaluation or enforcement actions if necessary to […]

Section 455E.6 – Legal effects — liability.

455E.6 Legal effects — liability. 1. This chapter supplements other legal authority and shall not enlarge, restrict, or abrogate any remedy which any person or class of persons may have under other statutory or common law and which serves the purpose of groundwater protection. An activity that does not violate chapter 455B or chapter 459, […]

Section 455E.7 – Primary administrative agency.

455E.7 Primary administrative agency. The department is designated as the agency to coordinate and administer groundwater protection programs for the state. 87 Acts, ch 225, §107

Section 455E.8 – Powers and duties of the director.

455E.8 Powers and duties of the director. In addition to other groundwater protection duties, the director, in cooperation with soil and water conservation district commissioners and with other state and local agencies, shall: 1. Develop and administer a comprehensive groundwater monitoring network, including point of use, point of contamination, and problem assessment monitoring sites across […]

Section 455E.9 – Powers and duties of the commission.

455E.9 Powers and duties of the commission. 1. The commission shall adopt rules to implement this chapter. 2. When groundwater standards are proposed by the commission, all available information to develop the standards shall be considered, including federal regulations and all relevant information gathered from other sources. A public hearing shall be held in each […]