Ground Water Programs
What the NRD can do on its own to help preserve and protect ground water is limited to monitoring, education and offering incentives to practice best management. Owners or managers of farmland have the potential to impact ground water on a much larger scale than individual owners or managers of other types of land. As a result, the NRD offers several programs to farmers designed to optimize both the quality and quantity of groundwater. These programs do not seek to limit applications of water and chemicals to crops, but they are designed to allow farmers to apply more accurately; reducing waste, reducing the amount of contaminants that leach into the ground water AND reducing the farmer's costs. We can keep a close watch on quality and quantity and declare Phase 2 or Phase 3 areas when warranted, but without cooperation from the public and participation in programs like the ones listed below, improvement in the situation is not likely.
Constructing a new well within the Lower Platte South NRD requires a permit, which is available through the Permits section of our web site.
Besides the programs listed below, the NRD may offer additional programs and enhanced cost-sharing in Phase 2 areas.
Community Water
System
Protection Area Program
Community water system protection
aims at keeping potential contaminants from entering the area of land around
public water supply wells.
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"There are four major steps
in developing a community water system protection plan: 1. Delineate the land area to be protected. 2. Identify and locate the potential contaminant sources within the protection area. 3. Assess existing programs to protect ground water for identified contaminant sources. 4. Plan for the future. Develop local zoning ordinances and informative programs to minimize the chances of future contamination." |
The 27 towns labeled on the map above qualify as Community Water Systems under state guidelines. Currently, the District has agreements with five community water systems including: Cass County Rural Water District #2, Eagle, Valparaiso, Ceresco and Elmwood. Discussions have been initiated with the Villages of Davey, Denton, Brainard and Lancaster County Sanitary Improvement District #6 (Emerald) regarding entering into a Community Water System Protection Area Agreement. If you live in one of the Community Water System communities on the map above, talk with your village or city officials about exploring a CWSPA agreement with the NRD.
Cass County Rural Water District #2- The 5-year agreement the District had with the Rural Water District expired in 2002. District staff has been working with the Rural Water District on renewing this contract.
Eagle- The District has completed all activities required by the Agreement, except sampling, and will continue with semi-annual sampling of 11 monitoring wells and 2 municipal wells for the duration of the Agreement.
Ceresco- The District initiated discussions with the Village's Consulting Engineer regarding the placement and number of monitoring wells needed to adequately monitor the wellhead protection area as required by the Agreement.
Elmwood- The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has re-delineated the CWSPA boundary and the District will move forward with conducting the contaminant source inventory.
Valparaiso- CWSPA has been designated a Phase
Two Ground Water Management Area due to verified elevated levels
of nitrates. Details about an informational public meeting will be announced
soon. At that meeting the NRD will begin seeking volunteers to serve on an advisory
committee.
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Water Well Flow Meter Program- Meters measure the flow of water from a pumping well. Benefits include the ability to apply a specific amount of water to a crop, ability to monitor well pumping capacity and the accumulation of data for making management decisions in the future. Participants also have the option to purchase a soil moisture probe. NRD cost-sharing: 75%, not to exceed $525 for the meter and not to exceed $90 for the moisture probe. |
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| Ultrasonic Flow Meter Program- The District has ultrasonic flow meter equipment landowners may borrow to measure well flow. The NRD will provide technical assistance. Participants also have the option to purchase a soil moisture probe. NRD cost-sharing on moisture probe purchase: 75%, not to exceed $90. |
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| Fertilizer Flow Meter and Manifold Program- Allows the even application of only as much anhydrous ammonia as a crop will use, minimizing the leaching of nutrient into the ground water supply and reducing operator costs. NRD cost-sharing: 50% of the meter and manifold, not to exceed $1,600. |
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| Well Decommissioning Program- Applications are accepted year-round, with actual work done between late fall and early spring by a licensed contractor. Program available to any District landowner. Nebraska law no longer allows landowners to seal wells on their own property unless the well is a sandpoint well. NRD cost-sharing: 75%, with landowner cost not to exceed $150. Cost-sharing is also available for pump removal: $100 for pipe less than 2" in diameter and $300 greater than 2". Brochure available for more information. |
