While IowaDNR WSO & WSE Sections directly regulate public water supplies by review of public water supply construction permit applications and other oversight programs, Iowa law requires county health departments regulate private wells construction; those that will serve less than 25 people.

The IowaDNR WSO Section does have responsibility within the Private Water Well Program to protect public health and the environment, by setting minimum construction standards for wells and providing technical support for county environmental health offices and staff.

The county programs are responsible for directly regulating private wells to ensure the protection of groundwater from further contamination.

The Department is involved with private wells directly in several ways by providing information on the following subjects:

• Private well construction permitting
  
  
• List of Currently Certified Well Contractors and Pump Installers
  
  
• Certification of Well Contractors (getting certified)
  
  
• Private Well Tracking System (PWTS) (off-site)
  
  
• Local Support - County Environmental Health programs