Environmental Compliance

Construction of any new source, or modification of an existing source of air pollution on campus must be evaluated and proper actions taken to meet regulatory requirements. All sources are then tracked for continued compliance and reported to regulatory agencies as required.

For questions about air quality environmental compliance, contact Amy Drahos.

Enforcement of Clean Air Act regulations which govern renovation or demolition activities which could disturb asbestos containing building materials.  Duties include:  Sampling/Asbestos Surveys, Remediation Oversight, Training, Recordkeeping & Outreach.

For questions about asbestos environmental compliance, contact Steve Henneberry or Darice K. Baxter.

The University maintains drinking water facilities that process and treat water for distribution to campus buildings.  Environmental Compliance oversees the water use and supply permits associated with the drinking water facilities for compliance with the Clean Water Act. 

For frequently asked questions about UI and drinking water quality, visit our Drinking Water Quality FAQ page.   

For questions about drinking water environmental compliance, contact Ben Stracuzzi.

Construction located in state and federal flood plain areas or waterway areas may require construction permits and site mitigation.  Environmental Compliance works with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to evaluate projects and get the necessary permits.

For questions about flood plain and dredge or fill permitting environmental compliance, contact Jenna Wischmeyer.

Utilities Environmental Compliance Team completes required annual reports that summarize total greenhouse gas emissions from campus activities. The report is filed with EPA in accordance with requirements of 40 CFR Part 98.

For questions about greenhouse gas environmental compliance, contact Jenna Wischmeyer.

First Stage Investigation of Indoor Air Quality complaints, including air sampling, occupant interviews and evaluation of identified spaces.

For questions about indoor air quality environmental compliance, contact Steve Henneberry.

Compliance with Safe Lead Work Practices under OSHA lead in construction practices 29 CFR 1926.62 and RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) disposal requirements for lead hazardous wastes.

For questions about lead environmental compliance, contact Steve Henneberry.

Projects are evaluated for impact to threatened and endangered species and migratory birds in coordination with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  

For questions about protected species environmental compliance, contact Jenna Wischmeyer.

Sampling of Radon Levels in University of Iowa occupied buildings.

For questions about radon environmental compliance, contact Steve Henneberry.

The Environmental Compliance Team assists University units in meeting the requirements of the EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Management program. Safe handling and disposal of refrigerants, and now substitute refrigerants, much be inventoried and tracked to ensure ozone-depleting gases or select greenhouse gas refrigerants are properly managed from use through disposal.

For questions about refrigerant management environmental compliance, contact Jenna Wischmeyer.

Areas having oil-filled containers must meet requirements to reduce the possibility of a spill reaching waters of the United States. Fourteen separate Spill Prevention Containment and Countermeasures (SPCC) plans are maintained by Utilities environmental compliance staff on behalf of owners of the affected equipment. Annual training requirements are also met.

For questions about spill prevention environmental compliance, contact Jenna Wischmeyer.

The university maintains and implements a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit that addresses storm water issues on our campuses. Additionally, storm water discharge permits/NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System), and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) are maintained as required.  Actions include reviewing and approving site plans, site monitoring, and outreach & education. For more information on UI's storm water management program and permits, visit our Storm Water Management page.

For questions about storm water management environmental compliance, contact Darice K. Baxter or Jenna Wischmeyer.

Underground storage tanks must meet requirements of 40 CFR Part 280. This includes installing double-walled tanks and piping, installing leak detection equipment, completing bi-annual tank inspections, training responsible individuals in proper maintenance procedures, and fulfilling annual reporting requirements.

For questions about underground storage tanks environmental compliance, contact Ben Stracuzzi.

The Environmental Compliance team assists the University in meeting National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Permit (NPDES) limits for cooling and other process water discharges on campus. 

For questions about wastewater environmental compliance, contact Ben Stracuzzi.