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10. Department of Agriculture The general object of this department headed by an elected Secretary is to encourage, promote and advance the interests of agriculture which in- clude water and related land resources. The depart- ment also has regulatory functions with regard to food service establishments and certain processing and marketing activities. 11. Department of Transportation The Department has jurisdiction and control over primary roads in the state and has general supervision of secondary road programs. Highway construction may not obstruct drains or turn the natural drainage of sur- face water which ~ust be drained in its natural channel. Plans for bridge improvements and new road construc- tion across flood ways or flood plains are submitted to the Iowa Natural Resources Council for review with regard to their effect on the efficiency and capacity of the flood- way. These functions, formerly held by the State High- way Commission, were transferred to the Highway Di- vision within the State Department of Transportation by the Acts 1974 (65 G.A.) ch. 1180. 12. Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) This new agency, established by Acts 1972 (64 G.A.) ch. 1119, was created by enactment of a new chapter 455B and repeal of the entire prior chapter 455B. The Iowa Water Pollution Control Commission, which had been created in 1965, was thereby abolished. The three major environmental control groups, air pollution, water pollution, and solid waste, were placed within one ad- ministrative agency, under four newly created commis- sions. These new commissions were the Air Quality Control Commission, Water Quality Commission, Solid Waste Disposal Commission, and Chemical Technology Commission. Of these, only the duties of the Air Quality Commission would have no direct impact of water re- sources, and indirect effects would be possible. Organization-The Water Quality Commission consists of chairman of the Iowa Development Commission and four additional members appointed by the governor with t..'1e approval of the senate. One of those members must be actively engaged in diversified farming, and one ac- tively engaged in the management of a privately owned manufacturing company. The board of certification consists of five members appointed by the Water Quality Commission for three- year terms. The membership must include the follow- ing: a. A certified waterworks operator of the highest classification issued by the Department; b. A wastewater treatment plan operator holding a 28 OJ certificate of the highest classification issued by the Department; c. One member employed by the Department who is qua1ified in both water and wastewater treatment plant operation; d. A college or university faculty member whose major field is related to water supply or wastewa- ter collection and treatment; e. One member who is an employee of a municipality required to employ a certified operator and who holds a certain position with that city. Programs and Activities-The Water Quality Commis- sion has functions dealing with water treatment, waste- water treatment, and water quality standards. Through a board of certification the water quality commission administers a program of water treatment plant operator certification. An operator is a person who has direct responsibility for the operation of a water treatment plant, water distribution system, or wastewater treat- ment plant. The executive director classifies each of the above facilities and sets minimum qua1ifications neces- sary for operators of each class facility. The executive director is authorized to issue opera- tion and construction pennits under regulations promul- gated by the Water Quality Commission. A construction pennit is required in the following circumstances: a. For the construction, installation, or modification of any disposal system, and b. For the construction or use of any new outlet for the discharge of sewage or wastes directly into the water of the state, with some exceptions to this requirement. An operation pennit is required for the operation of any waste disposal system, except for pretreatment 'systems the effluent of which is discharged directly into another waste disposal system for final treatment and disposal. The Water Quality Commission has promulgated rules to this effect. The Water Quality Commission has additional duties to: a. Develop comprehensive plans and programs for the prevention, control, and abatement of water pollution. b. Establish water quality standards and effluent standards for water of the state. The most recent Water Quality Standards were adopted on Feb- ruary 12, 1974. A tupy of these stdlidards is included in appendix I. c. Establish rules for the labeling of detergents which contain phosphorus. d. Cooperate with other state and interstate water pollution control agencies in establishing stan- dards, objectives, or criteria for the quality of interstate waters originating or flowing through Iowa. e. Other duties, including holding public hearings and adopting pennit fee schedules.