Permits
Applications for private water wells are available on our website or by coming into the Environmental Health Office. The form must be filled out in detail by your well contractor and returned with payment for issuance of your permit. A well site survey is then conducted to verify that the placement of the well will be in compliance with all regulations. Once your well is drilled, a completed well record is submitted to the Environmental Health Office by your well contractor. A record of all well information is placed on the Iowa Department of Natural Resources website. Once your new well is in operation, please call our office to schedule a water test to comply with state regulations.
If your water supply will be serving a new dwelling, a well permit must be issued prior to issuing the building permit.
Water well permits will not be issued to individuals who have access to community or public water supply.
DNR Private Well Grant Program
Please call ahead for verification of funds available before reconstruction or plugging.
Grant funds providing cost-share to Clayton County residents are available for well reconstruction, well shock chlorination, and abandoned well plugging.
Well Reconstruction
- Grant will pay eligible reconstruction cost up to $2,000 maximum
- Funds will be granted upon pre-approval by the Clayton County Environmental Health Office
- Proper well assessment may need to be made by both the driller and Clayton County Environmental Health
Abandoned Well Plugging
- Grant will pay eligible plugging costs up to $700 maximum
- Well must be plugged in accordance with the Clayton County and State Codes
Cistern Plugging
- Grant will pay eligible plugging costs up to $400 maximum
- Cistern must be plugged in accordance with the Clayton County and State Codes
Water Tests
- Water tests are available to rural homeowners or tenants
- Tests are offered once per year at no charge with grant fund availability
- Contact Clayton County Environmental Health at 563-245-2451 to schedule your water test or email us
Shock Chlorination
- Grant will pay eligible chlorination cost up to $400
- Well must be shocked in accordance with Clayton County and State Codes
For further information about DNR grants, please contact Clayton County Environmental Health at 563-886-2248.
Private Well Program Information