If your public water system has experienced a problem during a natural disaster such as flood, drought or tornado or has experienced a system failure, submit a Drinking Water Emergency Waiver Exception Request application to the department as soon as possible to address the problem quickly. The department’s Public Drinking Water Branch and regional office staff can provide additional information and resources to help ensure your system is able to provide safe drinking water to its customers. Public water systems should also implement their emergency response plan.

Length of Permit 

If an emergency exception request is granted, the permit will remain in effect until the project is complete or the department determines it no longer meets the requirements.  

Laws, Rules and Regulations

How to Apply

Applications

Fact Sheets

Fees

No fees to apply for this exemption request. 

However, there are annual drinking water fees, which include primacy, laboratory certification and services, administration and operator certification fees. These fees are based on type of facility and population.

Timeline/ Process

No specific timeline is required to issue or deny this permit. The department will make every attempt to review the request within 48 hours and will request additional information if the application is not complete, which may delay the review process.

Public Participation

Depending on the emergency, the department may issue a boil order to the public water system. For more information about boil water orders, visit the department's Boil Water Orders website.

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

Reporting

The below conditions must be followed:

  1. A professional engineer registered in Missouri must be hired to provide technical guidance during the construction process.
  2. Within 30 days after construction, one hard copy and one electronic copy of as-built plans and specifications (sealed by a professional engineer registered in Missouri) must be submitted to the department along with a completed Construction Permit Application and Statement of Work Completed form to the address listed on these forms. If more time is needed to provide the as-built plans and specifications, please submit in writing, the public water system’s proposed timeline to provide this information.
  3. Construction must conform to the Minimum Design Standards for Missouri Community Water Systems, effective December 10, 2013 PUB2489 or Standards for Non-Community Public Water Supplies, effective 1982 PUB979.

Renewal

Permit renewal is not necessary. If an emergency exception request is granted, the permit will remain in effect until the project is complete or the department determines it no longer meets the requirements. 

Resources

The Design Standards Exception Request form should be submitted along with or in reference to a Construction Permit

Construction Permit

A water system must obtain a construction permit from the department prior to construction of a new public water system, expansions, alterations or modifications of an existing public water system. This includes waterline extensions, waterline replacements, drilling a water supply well, constructing a storage tank, adding a disinfection system, treatment changes, building a pump station or other improvements or modifications.

Financial Assistance

Keep track of all emergency related labor hours and work repairs performed. Don’t forget to take pictures of damage to building contents and facilities. Apply for financial assistance after the emergency is over, visit the State Emergency Management Agency’s website to learn more.

Disaster Resources

The department provides additional information about disaster resources designed to help businesses and communities affected by drought, floods, severe weather and other natural disasters.

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