DES MOINES – The DNR is streamlining the permitting process for wastewater disposal by small businesses that wash their own livestock trucks and trailers.
“Normally there is a lengthy wait for construction and operation permits, but these small facilities do not demand the same level of review as larger industries,” said Steve Williams of the DNR’s wastewater section.
“We’ve come up with a hybrid permit, allowing noncommercial truck washing facilities to quickly obtain a permit that will authorize them to both install storage facilities and land apply the wastewater with just one application form,” he said.
The permit is available only to those who own and operate a livestock trucking business that uses less than 2,000 gallons of water per day, the amount that will wash two to four trucks. The owner/operator must have a basin large enough to collect and hold the wash water for 45 days. Then, the liquid can be land applied on crop fields.
The new process will allow truck-washing businesses to obtain the required permit within days of application instead of the months typically required for industries and cities that must obtain construction and operating permits. The standards for basins and land application sites will protect the environment, while safely disposing of the dilute wastewater.
Find the permit application, and requirements for construction, land application and operation on the DNR website at www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryWater/NPDESWastewaterPermitting/NPDESForms/NPDESApplicationForms.aspx .
