Water News Archive

NebGuides

A collection of NebGuides developed by Nebraska Extension professionals on various drinking water topics.

EPCRA Emissions Rule for Livestock and Poultry

On December 18, 2008, the US EPA published a final rule that clarified which livestock facilities must report air emissions from their facilities. Animal agriculture was granted an administrative exemption from reporting air emissions that normally occur from raising farm animals under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

Bioretention Gardens

View examples of bioretention gardens in Nebraska.

What Happens in the Tank?

Anaerobic bacteria begin to break down some wastes in the tank. Wastewater contains suspended solids. Heavy solids settle out and form sludge on the bottom of the tank.

Drinking Water Testing

Bacteria/Nitrate Private Drinking Water Test Kit

Testing private drinking water supplies in Nebraska is not required by federal or state regulation, with some exceptions such as licensed childcare facilities and foster care home water supplies. County or city jurisdictions may have requirements for private water supply testing.

OFT Worksheet Version

Step-by-step instructions for using the worksheet version of the Odor Footprint Tool and an example completed worksheet are provided in the following documents.

Rain Gardens

You can reduce water runoff from your yard by planting a rain garden. A rain garden is a small depression planted to flowers and ornamental grasses. It is designed to temporarily hold and soak in rain water from a roof, driveway or open area. A rain garden is not a pond or wetland. It is dry most of the time and holds water after a rain. Water collected in the rain garden slowly soaks into the soil and disappears in less than 48 hours.

Wastewater - What Is It?

Wastewater comes from ordinary living processes: bathing, toilet flushing, laundry, dishwashing, etc. It comes from residential and domestic sources.

How does a septic system work?

A system typically has 3 parts: plumbing from the house, a septic tank, and an effluent treatment system.

Emergency Drinking Water Supply

Nebraska's abundant domestic water supply is generally taken for granted. However some situations can reduce the availability of safe drinking water, including tornadoes, floods, winter storms, or even earthquakes. Such disasters may interrupt the water supply for only a few hours or up to several days. In these situations an emergency water supply is helpful, if not essential.

Land Application Training Requirements

The NPDES permittee, authorized representative, or an employee of the operation shall complete a land application training program approved by the Department within 180 days of NPDES permit coverage unless such training was satisfactorily completed in the previous 5 years. Additional training is required every 5 years.

Landscape Management Practices

Aim downspouts towards planted areas or pervious hardscape and away from impervious paved areas. Collect rainwater from rooftops in rain barrels or cisterns for reuse in landscape irrigation. Amend soil with organic matter. Core aerate lawns to help avoid or reduce soil compaction, increase water infiltration, and promote healthy root systems. Follow University and label recommendations and calibrate spreaders when using fertilizers and pesticides. Only use these products when needed. Read and follow label directions for all lawn chemicals.

Soil Biological Life

While tillage has been used to prepare a seedbed, it also destroys the existing root structures in the soil and some of the soil's biological life. Without this biological life, soil structure suffers and many of the nutrients are not as available for crop uptake.

Project Background

The Nebraska Ag Water Management Network (NAWMN, Irmak (2005)) project is designed for encouraging the adoption of newer technologies that will enable farmers to use water and energy resources associated with irrigated crop production efficiently.

Professional trainings and public programs

UNL Extension drinking water presentation in Afghanistan

UNL Extension presents trainings for water well professionals as part of their CEU requirements. UNL Extension also conduces educational sessions at professional 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. These issues and more are the subjects of UNL Extension's educational efforts.

NDEQ Resources on Regulations

The NDEQ Web site provides numerous publications to assist producers with Title 130 compliance including annual report forms, applications and forms, fact sheets, guidance documents, and standard operating procedures.

Stormwater

What is stormwater? It's water from rain or melting snow. Watch the video and learn about rain water runoff and why it can be a problem.

Nebraska Extension Publications on Pesticides

Pesticide Management for Water Quality Protection in the Midwest Cleaning Pesticide Application Equipment Rinsing Pesticide Containers

Introduction to Watersheds

Everyone lives in a watershed. A watershed is the land area that contributes water to a location, usually a stream, pond, lake or river. Everything that we do on the surface of our watershed impacts the water quality of our streams, wetlands, ponds, lakes and rivers. What happens in one locality affects other downstream areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Algae? Algae are defined as simple rootless plants that grow in bodies of water relative to the amount of nutrients available. Blue-Green Algae or Cyanobacteria: