Water and Health

Groundwater, like the High Plains Aquifer, is used to provide drinking water for many Nebraskans across the entire state. Unfortunately, groundwater is vulnerable to contamination. Human activity, such as conducting certain agricultural practices, can negatively impact the groundwater quality, therefore impacting the quality of water many Nebraskans are drinking. Drinking contaminated water is a major health risk.

Impacts: The following are the strongest linked health impacts of drinking contaminated water

Methemoglobinemia (Blue-baby syndrome)
Preterm birth issues
Birth defects
Pediatric cancers
Adult cancers

View Water and Health Resources

Wednesday March 20, 2024

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Facts Related to Drinking Water

PFAS are forever chemicals. Old landfills, industrial sites, firefighting foam, and wastewater treatment discharge are just some of the ways PFAS can contaminate the environment. It then ends up in our groundwater and surface water resources and soils which impacts the water we drink, and the fish and grown food that we eat. It is important to understand how PFAS chemicals move through the environment in order to address the problem of PFAS pollution. Image credit: Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Monday April 6, 2026

100 years of Nebraska nitrogen

Nitrogen is an essential plant nutrient but increasingly found in our water. Here is a brief history:

Monday July 29, 2024

Nitrogen Sources and Water Quality Field Day

Nebraska Extension will host a Nitrogen Sources and Water Quality Field Day on August 13, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Haskell Ag Lab near Concord, NE.

Wednesday October 30, 2024

Managing the Demands of Water & Wastewater Systems Can Make Gatherings More Enjoyable

Fall and winter gatherings are upon us and that often means a bustling house full of family, friends and preparation of tasty recipes in the kitchen. All of these things should make for joyful times, but they can potentially have a stressful impact on your private water well and onsite wastewater systems.