Contaminated Sites Database

The Contaminated Sites Database of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lets the public search and find information about sites and print out results. DNR says it provides information on sites that are not petroleum UST related, where DNR has been involved in reviewing environmental assessment data reported through voluntary assessments or reports of hazardous conditions, or where DNR has provided regulatory direction or oversight for further assessment, risk review and remedial action if appropriate.

In a Phase I ESA

ASTM E1527-21 does not name a database of this kind among its standard record sources. Search it for any property all the same: DNR says individual records of Registry sites may be reached through it, and the pages read name no separate list of Land Recycling Program sites. Three Iowa details shape how to read a listing.

• A listing is not a finding. DNR says a listing does not necessarily mean that a current concern exists; a site may be listed simply because environmental data was collected and reviewed by DNR. DNR tells viewers to look closely at the information given for any listed site.
• Other agencies' oversight is in it. DNR says documents related to its involvement, as well as referral of oversight by other regulatory authorities, such as the US EPA, are included.
• Phase II results go to DNR. DNR's brownfield page says Iowa law does not require Phase II ESAs, but that if results indicate a potentially hazardous condition, such findings must be provided to DNR for further review.

Programs on the same DNR page

DNR's Solid Waste and Contaminated Sites Section deals with contamination caused by a release of hazardous materials or hazardous waste products. DNR names two state programs for sites contaminated by hazardous materials or wastes: the State Lead Program (567 IAC 105.100) and the Land Recycling Program (567 IAC 105.200). DNR says both programs focus on assessing the severity of such problems and on identifying and carrying out the appropriate remedial measures; the pages read say nothing else of the State Lead Program. In its paragraph on the two programs, DNR says sites come to the attention of IDNR in various ways, and that the largest group consists of properties which have been the subject of environmental assessments, generally associated with real estate transfers.

The state also cooperates with EPA in the federal Superfund program, which includes emergency removal and remedial components generally targeted at more seriously contaminated sites, and in a program referred to as "pre-remedial", designed to evaluate sites for eligibility for the remedial portion.

Where to look a site up

• DNR's Contaminated Sites Database.
• DNR's Document Search, which lists a Land Quality - Contaminated Sites program.
• For Registry sites, the table on DNR's Site Registry page.

Getting the file

DNR's Hazardous Waste & Contaminated Sites page links the DNR Records Center, which it says is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except legal holidays, for the public to view open records relating to environmental and conservation interests. The Records Center is at 6200 Park Ave, Suite 200, Des Moines. DNR's Open Records Request page says requests to inspect public records go to the Office of the Chief Information Officer through the Iowa Information and Public Records Request Portal, and may also be made in person at a record center, by email to dnr.records.request@dnr.iowa.gov, or by mail.

Sources

Iowa Department of Natural Resources pages, read October 12, 2026:

• Hazardous Waste & Contaminated Sites, last modified September 21, 2026.
• Brownfield Redevelopment, last modified February 12, 2025.
• Site Registry, last modified December 23, 2025.
• Open Records Request, last modified March 13, 2026.