Water News Archive

Hydro-tourism Focus for Spring Water Seminar Series

2022 Water Seminar series will highlight the significance that water holds in and around Nebraska and its ability to bring people from all walks of life together. The series is organized by The Nebraska Water Center, in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s School of Natural Resources.

Insect and Disease Control for Organic Vegetable Gardeners

Minimizing pesticide usage in the home garden is a great way to protect yourself from chemical exposure, while also protecting the environment and surface water resources. But pest control - insects, diseases and weeds - are challenging for the home organic vegetable gardener.  Today we’ll focus on techniques for insect and disease control. Gardeners using organic techniques may have to adjust their expectations at the outset and begin to accept a higher level of insect and disease damage in the garden.

Husker Researchers Develop Tool to Make Irrigation More Efficient

A research paper by University of Nebraska–Lincoln scientists points to an innovative irrigation approach that offers promise to decrease water use while increasing producer profitability.

Become a Groundwater Steward

National Groundwater Awareness Week is March 6–12, making it the perfect time to talk about groundwater in Nebraska! What exactly is groundwater? It is the water below the earth’s surface that fills the interconnected voids and cracks in and around soil particles, sand, gravel and rock. Groundwater is the most abundant supply of freshwater in the world and is the water source that private drinking water, irrigation, livestock and many public water supply wells draw from.

Valuing Manure as a Seller or a Buyer

When talking about manure's value, one needs to think about a variety of factors. Most folks think of fertilizer nutrients as manure’s primary value or MVP, but it takes more than one or two star players to make a great team. As such, manure wouldn't be as great as it is without other characteristics like the added organic matter that you get when applying manure, or the microbial community that is added to your field with that application.

Know Your Well Project Educating a New Generation on the Importance of Safe Drinking Water for Nebraska

Know Your Well project has been teaching high school students about sampling drinking water since 2017. Read these students' stories and the ongoing impact of this program.

Economic Impact of the Irrigation Equipment and Services Industry

A new study by University of Nebraska's DWFI and NDMC measured the economic impact of the irrigation industry in the United States and found that it has been growing by 2% per year since 2010 with a direct economic impact of nearly $9 billion and indirect impacts of $23.3 billion.

Lawn Fertilizer and Pest Control Products in 2022

The past 22 months have brought a tremendous burden to the U.S. and other countries around the globe due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  One of the unforeseen issues is the spillover effects that the supply chain problems and worker shortages have had on the lawn and landscape industries.  While this post is not intended to encourage hoarding of products along the lines of buying up all the toilet paper in sight, it is helpful to be aware of potential price increases and product shortages at the garden center in 2022.

Groundwater measurements of herbicide may underestimate human exposure

Human exposure to herbicides often comes via drinking water, much of which is drawn from groundwater. A team of reasearchers from the University of Nebraska Medical Center and University of Nebrasa - Lincoln examined atrazine exposure in Eastern Nebraska. Continue reading in Nebraska Today.

Without a trace? Adding mineral to irrigation may lower toxic elements in soils

Arsenic, uranium and other trace elements naturally occur in topsoil across the U.S. Corn Belt, including the Cornhusker State. Crops grown in soils containing elevated levels of those trace elements can absorb them through roots, potentially curbing growth and threatening the health of those who regularly consume them. University of Nebraska Water Sciences Lab researched the effects of adding ferrihydrite — a nanoscopic mineral. Continue reading in Nebraska Today.

UNL publications can help homeowners design and install a rain garden in their landscape

With time on your hands this winter you can dream about creating a beautiful and functional rain garden in your landscape this coming spring. A rain garden helps conserve water, reduce runoff pollution, and adds an aesthetic landscape feature to your home. You can do more than dream, you can use UNL Extension publication resources to design and install your rain garden.

“Public Health and Water Quality” Webinar Series Being Offered in January and February

Have you ever wondered if the water you are drinking is safe? Who studies the impacts of contaminates on my health? These are questions commonly asked throughout the state especially when there are stories continually discussing contaminates in the water we drink.

TAPS to Host Practicum Series in 2022

The Testing Ag Performance Solutions (TAPS) program is excited to offer a new six-part series focused on water, nitrogen and “Effective Conservation Technologies and Management Practices for Corn Production,” as the practicum is titled.

Livestock Facility Inspections: Do I need one? If so, what should I expect?

Inspections collect information about livestock facilities and are how the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) determines whether the facility is in compliance with regulations. There are two different kinds of inspections for livestock operations. Initial inspections help NDEE determine whether a permit is needed. Routine inspections allow the NDEE representative to make sure permitted operations are in compliance with their permit.

Winter Plant Care

It’s definitely getting colder outside. Winter isn’t officially here yet, but it is on its way. This is the time of the year where we give up on plants, but there are some things to consider prior to winter to ensure their survival. Winter Care of Turf

Wise Use Private Water & Wastewater Systems Can Make the Holidays More Peaceful

The holiday season is 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.

Climate Change and Future Nebraska Water Challenges

Climate change is projected to make Nebraska hotter and stormier. Listen to a recent podcast on this subject with Dave Aiken, professor  and water and agricultural law specialist in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Agricultural Economics.

New Article Traces Aspects of the History of Irrigation in the Great Plains and Water Productivity

A recent article by Dr. Steve Evett and others traces the history of irrigation in the Great Plains region from a geographical, technical, and political perspective as well as how it has impacted the water resources

Optimize your Nitrogen Investment with Precision Agriculture Technologies

In a growing season with high fertilizer prices like the upcoming 2022, varying the amount of N within the field could result in cost savings and yield increase, boosting your overall field profit.

Problematic frozen pipes can be prevented with routine, pre-winter maintenance

Photo: Broken water pipe due to freezing. Sterlic/Flickr Winter is on its way which means it is time to assess and insulate the pipes in your home’s crawl spaces and attic. Both plastic and copper pipes can freeze, and frozen water pipes affect folks who live in both cold and warmer climates. By conducting routine preventative maintenance, one can greatly reduce the risk of potentially expensive damage that frozen water pipes can cause.