Professionals and property owners know how to protect our most vital natural resource as a result of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension education.

UNL Extension presents educational sessions at professionals’ annual conferences and seminars. Extension also educates both urban and rural residents to increase understanding of good management of drinking water supplies. Nitrate, arsenic and uranium are identified as some of the top concerns for water supplies on The UNL Water Center’s web page entitled, “Top Ten Water Challenges for Nebraska." These issues and more are the subjects of UNL Extension’s educational efforts.

Most town and city dwellers rely on a public system for safe drinking water. Urban residents are encouraged to learn about their drinking water supply and make informed decisions about its protection, use and conservation. Omaha and Lincoln residents can learn about public water supply disinfection with chloramines in UNL Extension publications.

Since rural residents often operate and maintain their own private water supply, proper well design and construction are very important. Equally important is taking action to protect the water source, monitoring water quality, and taking appropriate action if water quality is less than desirable. Extension offers various programs to help the rural property owner in these efforts. Acreage owners also have access to information and resources 24/7 on the Extension Web site.

Sample of educational efforts

A Husker Harvest Days drinking water display featured a "magic faucet" that intrigued both children and adults.  The faucet prompted the question, "Where does the water come from?'  Resulting discussions led to information on wellhead protection, water quality and protection, and water treatment.  A second display featured a large format groundwater model.  The model was used to demonstrate Nebraska's water resources, rejuvenation of Nebraska's stream flow, and protection of ground and surface water quality.  The event near Grand Island drew an estimated 100,000 plus gate attendance.

Nebraska communities with at least 1,000 residents now are required to provide drinking water with fluoride at the optimum level of about 1 part per million, either naturally occurring or through fluoridation, or opt out by ballot vote, as a result of Nebraska lawmakers' approval of LB 245 in their last session.  The NebGuide "Drinking Water: Fluoride" was revised to include current research findings and information on the new legislation and communities impacted.  Information will help citizens make informed decisions regarding fluoride.

Real estate professionals increased knowledge and will change the way they represent properties with either a private drinking water well or onsite wastewater treatment system as a result of participating in UNL Extension training. From 9 to 90 rural properties could be represented differently each year as a result, impacting multiple families considering each property for purchase, enabling them to make informed risk management decisions.

Through a partnership that includes UNL Extension, illegal wells in targeted watersheds are being decommissioned helping to protect the quality of groundwater supplying drinking water.  

See a report on the top ten water issues in Nebraska from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Water Center:

Top Ten Water Challenges for Nebraska (PDF)