A water system must obtain a Permit to Dispense from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources before putting newly constructed equipment, facilities or mains into operation, except as exempted in 10 CSR 60-3.010(3)(A). This includes waterline extensions, waterline replacements, drilling a water supply well, constructing a storage tank, adding a disinfection system, changing treatment, building a pump station or other improvements or modifications. Visit Public Water Systems for general information about public water systems and how they are classified.

The department is responsible for reviewing permit applications to ensure adequate water is available, the system is properly designed and to verify that the system or equipment complies with all applicable standards and regulations. Staff also ensure water systems have technical, managerial and financial capacity before issuing a Permit to Dispense.

Permit Length

The permit remains 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

Application

The water system submits a permit to dispense application to the department. 

Technical, Managerial and Financial Capacity

Community and nontransient noncommunity water systems beginning operation after Oct. 1, 1999, and community and nontransient noncommunity water systems under an Administrative Order for significant noncompliance with the Missouri Safe Drinking Water Law or regulations, are required to demonstrate technical, managerial and financial capacity as part of the Permit to Dispense application. For additional information, visit Technical, Managerial and Financial Capacity Development.

Emergency Operations Plan

An Emergency Operations Plan is required as part of the Permit to Dispense application for community water systems with a population of more than 50,000. Small systems with a population less than 50,000 do not need to submit it along with the permit to dispense application. For more information, visit Emergency Operations Plan.

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 the type of facility and population. For more information, please visit the department's Water-related Fees webpage.

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 must notify the Missouri Department of Natural Resources and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, as well as its customers, of its intentions at least 90 days before any vote on the matter.

Violation/ Situational Public Notice

Code of State Regulations 10 CSR 60-8.010 requires 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.

Appeal Procedures

Anyone who is adversely affected by the department's decision to issue, deny, suspend or revoke a permit may be entitled to pursue an appeal before the Administrative Hearing Commission. The petition must be filed with the commission within 30 days of the decision, according to the procedures outlined in section 621.250, RSMo. For more information, please review the Administrative Hearing Commission's Frequently Asked Questions webpage.

Requirements

Backflow Prevention

Certain types of properties or facilities are legally mandated to install and operate backflow prevention devices. Additional information is available on the department's Backflow Prevention webpage.

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 10 CSR 60.9.010.

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 must 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. 

Renewal

Because the permit remains effective for the life of the facility, there is no renewal process. 

Resources

Fact Sheets

Drinking Water Operator Certification

These are the individuals that perform the daily operational activities at drinking water and wastewater treatment systems. These operators are responsible for making sure there is an adequate supply of drinking water for their customers. An operator certification training and testing program ensures drinking water operators possess the knowledge, skills and abilities to maintain certification and stay current with new regulations and emerging technologies. Learn more about operator certification.

Area Wide Optimization Program

The Area Wide Optimization Program (AWOP) is a program designed to achieve optimized performance at public water systems. AWOP is a voluntary approach that allows water systems to increase public health protection through optimizing existing physical and organizational infrastructures, without incurring capital expenses. This approach focuses on the long-term sustainability of the water system and its ability to consistently provide safe, reliable and affordable drinking water to the public.

State Revolving Fund

The department's State Revolving Fund is available for financial assistance. The Drinking Water State Revolving Loan Fund (DWSRF) is a loan program that is capitalized by federal grants, state appropriations and dedicated revenues. 

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