The Class V permit is needed for temporary dewatering or whenever water is removed from an excavation, from the ground or existing structure to ensure that sediment, turbidity and contaminants are removed before it is later discharged.

This permit is necessary to ensure that construction or maintenance activities do not cause adverse impacts to adjacent properties, do not impair existing waterways and surface waters, and do not cause contamination to the surrounding areas or water bodies.

Discharge of turbid water (water full of sediment) into storm drains or bodies of water will cause clogging of existing drainage facilities, which causes flooding during storm events. When turbid water is discharged into water bodies, it can kill marine life and can pollute the water. This leads to the degradation of the water body, and increased flooding conditions.

Some areas of Miami-Dade County also have contamination of the existing groundwater. Unregulated dewatering of contaminated groundwater will spread more contamination into adjacent properties.

Zoning approval from a local municipality or Miami-Dade County (if you are in unincorporated Miami-Dade) is required prior to construction activity.

Depending on the features of each project, a Class I or IV permit may needed, as well as approval from the Public Works Department (if you are dewatering to a roadway with drainage), and municipalities (if dewatering to their streets).

If the project dewaters a large volume of groundwater, or lasts longer than three months, a permit from the South Florida Water Management District may also be required.

If dewatering is within areas of groundwater contamination, approval from the DERM Pollution Remediation Section is required.

This question is intended to give you an idea of what other permits may be needed. Depending on your situation, you may need one or more of the above-mentioned permits. Additionally, there may be instances when a permit that is not listed here is required. We encourage you to call the contact number at the bottom of this page to discuss your particular case or to receive additional information.

One (1) week.

Please see DERM Fee Schedule.

6 to 90 days

For more information, please call 305-372-6681.

• View the Class V Permit