Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />~, * * <br /> <br />"7. Make inspections of the public water supplies, <br />sewer systems, sewage treatment plants, and <br />garbage and refuse disposal plants throughout <br />the state, and direct the method of installation <br />and operation of the same. " <br /> <br />b. The Iowa water rights law <br /> <br />As a result of widespread drought conditions in the <br />early and mid-l950's and the nationwide attention focused on <br />water shortages, the 1957 Iowa Legislature established an Iowa <br />water use permit system and assigned its administration to the <br />Iowa Natural Resources Council. <br /> <br />The law declares that water occurring in any under- <br />ground basin, watercourse, or any other natural body of water, <br />is public water and public wealth of the people of the state and <br />is subject to use in accordance with the principles and policies <br />of beneficial use declared in the law. With a few exceptions as <br />to the kind and amount of use and the source of water (use for <br />ordinary household purposes,for poultry, livestock, and <br />domestic animals; certain existing uses; any beneficial use of <br />less than 5,000 gallons per day; and any beneficial use of sur- <br />face flow from border rivers or use of groundwater on an <br />island or former island in border river) a permit must be <br />obtained from the State Water Commissioner for the diversion, <br />storage, or withdrawal of water and for the diversion of water <br />or other material from the surface directly into any under- <br />ground watercourse or basin. Public hearing with due notice <br />thereof is required for each initial application and for renewals <br />where problems or controversy exist. The determination <br />of the Water Commissioner may be appealed to the Resources <br />Council and then to the courts. <br /> <br />The "policies and principles of beneficial use" is the <br />standard for the determination on applications for permits. <br />The law provides for the consideration of applications in the <br />order received except that priority is to be afforded as of the <br />actual date of diversion or withdrawal occurring prior to the <br />effective date of the law. Use of the water for ordinary <br />household purposes, for poultry, livestock, and domestic <br />animals, shall have priority over other uses and any person <br /> <br />8 <br />