Design Review and Permitting Program
Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency • Public Water Systems Supervision Program
The PWSSP developed the Public Water Systems Design Review and Permitting Program. As required by
USEPA, the PWSSP has drafted new construction permits, minimum design regulations and operating
permit regulations.  These proposed regulations can be found at our regulations page.

All proposed new public water systems and proposed extensions/modifications to existing public water
systems will need to obtain a construction permit from the PWSSP before starting construction. The
systems will have to submit a construction permit application along with project construction plans and
reports, specifications at least 45 days ahead of the expected date of construction.

The fees associated with the construction permit must be paid with the application. After construction is
completed, the project engineer must request the PWSSP for an approval of the construction and provide
as-built plans, test results and other pertinent data. Once the approval to construct is obtained, the
owner/operator will need to apply for an operating permit. The operating permit must be renewed every
three years.  Also, all existing water systems will have to obtain an operating permit.

CLICK HERE to view the Domestic Wastewater Program.


Related Information
  • CLICK HERE to view the Public Water System Inventory Sheet
  • CLICK HERE to view the Public Water Systems & Bottled Water System Permit
  • CLICK HERE to view the Navajo Nation Environmental Policy Act
  • CLICK HERE to view the Navajo Nation Clean Water Act

Construction Permits

NNPDWR §1660 Construction Permit regulations requires that all new proposed projects for drinking
water facilities to be permitted by the PWSSP includes, but not limited to, extensions to existing systems,
new wells, renovations to the well, water storage tank or distribution, and other projects affecting drinking
water.

NNSDWA §501 authorizes the Executive Director of the NNEPA to develop regulations regarding to
design/review.  "No new or substantially modified public water system shall be authorized to begin
construction or operation within the jurisdiction of the Navajo Nation until such time as the Director has
reviewed the proposed design of such facility to ensure that it is capable of compliance with the application
minimum construction guidelines for public water systems."

Forms
  • CLICK HERE to view the Application for Approval to Construct Drinking Water Facilities form
  • CLICK HERE to view the Fee Schedule for Construction Permit Form (Effective April 2004)...New as
    of 11-17-08
  • CLICK HERE to view the Permit Extension Request Form
  • CLICK HERE to view the Construction Completion Report Form
Operating Permits

Operating permits for each public water system will be required.  These permits will be renewed every
three years.  These permits are based on numbers of connections to the public water system.  CLICK
HERE to download Operating Permit Form.
1.        Community Water System
A.  Groundwater systems, number of connections:
Fewer than 25             $100
          25-  99             $150
       100-199             $250
       200-499             $350
       500-999             $500

B.  Groundwater under the direct influence of surface water (GWUDI) or springs 1.5 times the fee for a
similar size groundwater system.

C.  Surface Water - two times the fee for a similar size groundwater system.

2.        Nontransient, Noncommunity water systems — Same as a community water system

3.        Transient, Noncommunity water system — $50

4.        Consecutive — $50

These regulations are supported by §501 of the Navajo Nation Safe Drinking Water Act.

Forms