The authority for regulating water allocation arises from the State's mission to protect public health and welfare. The use of water by one person can affect other nearby water users and the general public.

All waters, surface and groundwater, are "public waters and public wealth" of Iowa citizens. Iowa statute provides an allocation system based on the concept of "beneficial use". The key points are:

• Water resources are to be put to beneficial use to the fullest extent possible.
• Waste, unreasonable use, and unreasonable methods of water use are prevented.
• Water conservation is expected.
• Minimum instream flows are protected.

Iowa's water allocation program attempts to sort through various competing uses, by:

• A permitting program to ensure consistency in decisions on the use of water (water use permits).
• Provisions for public involvement in issuing water allocation permits and establishing water use policies.
• An administrative procedure to resolve water use conflicts.

Water Use Permits are issued to convey the "right" to use the water if it can be shown to be "beneficial". A water use permit is required of any person or entity that withdraws at least 25,000 gallons in a 24-hour period during any calendar year, regardless of public water supply status. The permit lists the amount of water allowed to be withdrawn each year by the permittee, and is valid for 10 years. A Water Use Permit requires that a water use report form be submitted to the IowaDNR annually.

The following applications and forms are associated with a water use permit. The forms are available in .doc and .pdf format. The .doc document may be opened and completed on a computer. The .pdf documents may be printed and then completed by hand or typewriter.

	Form #	*.doc	*.pdf
Application for Permit to Store Water for Beneficial Use	542-3109
Application to register of minor nonrecurring use of more the 25,000 gallons of water	542-3112
Annual report form and instructions of how much water was used	542-3115
Application for a new Water Use Permit or to modify an existing permit	542-3106

Examples of water use conflicts include:

• Need to preserve instream flows.
• Need to protect the level of natural lakes, and manage changes in level of artificial lakes.
• Well interference.
• Decline in level of areal groundwaters' water table. (allocations resulting in long-term overdraft).
• Groundwater quality degradation.

These types of conflict may be exacerbated by dry conditions. The technical term used in Iowa for dry conditions or drought is "triggering event" (defined in 567-Chapter 52.10(2)). The Department has the authority to implement priority allocation restrictions if a triggering event has occurred. The specifics of allocation restrictions are described in 567-Chapter 52.10(1) and (3). This part of Iowa's water allocation mechanism was adopted following the 1985 Iowa Water Plan.

One may obtain copies of the Well Interference Procedures/Compensation guidance or applications application forms described here by sending your name, address, and the applications you would like to receive to Mike Anderson, Suite M, 401 SW 7th St., Des Moines, IA 50309-4611. Or e-mail him at Michael.Anderson@dnr.iowa.gov