Water Resources - Drinking Water

Publically supplied water may be available to some acreage residents able to access municipal, community, or rural water district systems.  The quality of publically supplied water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.  Water is tested for around 100 possible contaminants.  Suppliers must provide water that meets minimum standards for those contaminants.  Additional testing by water users is not necessary. 

However, most acreage residents rely on private wells as their source of water. The quality of private drinking water in Nebraska is not regulated by federal or state statutes. In most cases, users must operate, maintain, and ensure the safety of their water supply.

Water Quality

Drinking water does not need to be pure to be safe.  To evaluate the safety of a private drinking water supply, have the water tested by a certified laboratory and compare the results to Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards for public water supplies.   Water should be tested annually for bacteria and nitrate. There should be no bacteria in the water and the nitrate-nitrogen concentration should not exceed 10 milligrams per liter. Water also should be tested for any other suspected contaminants.

Water Quantity

The average American uses from 60 to 100 gallons of water per day.  Water use does not occur evenly over the course of a day.  Peak use periods can last from 30 minutes to two hours and usually occur near mealtimes, during laundry periods, and shortly before bedtime.  A water system must be able to meet both total gallons per day and peak use demands. The water system flow rate is the quantity of water delivered in gallons per minute. The flow rate should be capable of maintaining the peak use rate continuously for one to two hours. For home use, a minimum flow rate of 10 gallons per minute is recommended, but a higher flow rate is desirable. If water needs exceed the maximum well yield, intermediate storage can be installed to help supply water.

The Water Well and Wellhead Protection

The design, location, and construction of the water well is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. A private well must be located and constructed to protect it from surface waters and from seepage from sources of contamination.  In addition to proper well construction, keeping contaminants away from the well, backflow prevention, and decommissioning illegal unused wells can help protect a water supply. Proper management of private wastewater treatment systems is one important step toward wellhead protection.

Protecting Water Resources - Onsite Wastewater (Sewage)

Most acreage residents rely on private onsite wastewater treatment systems for sewage management. The design and installation of private systems is regulated by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and local agencies.  In addition, the user is responsible for operating and maintaining the system to effectively remove wastewater from the home and treat wastewater to prevent contaminants from entering groundwater, surface water, and/or coming in contact with humans. Proper operation and maintenance includes controlling water use, spreading out water use evenly over a period of time, avoiding use and disposal of some products and materials, and having systems checked and serviced (including having septic tanks and holding tanks pumped) on a regular bases.
 

Water Resources - Watersheds and Surface Water

A watershed is an area of land from which all runoff drains to a common surface water outlet such as a stream, river, lake, or wetland. Land use within a watershed influences both the quantity and quality of runoff and the surface water it drains to.  It is important to protect and manage the surface water resources on your property, whether natural or constructed. Well-managed streams, ponds and wetlands add beauty and diversity to the landscape and enhance the value of the property. Surface water can be protected by:

• controlling runoff and soil erosion on your property
• using fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and according to label directions
• disposing of used oil, antifreeze, paints and other household chemicals properly
• and protecting riparian areas. 

Riparian areas are unique ecosystems located along the banks of streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands. Healthy riparian vegetation stabilizes stream banks, traps sediment eroded from upland areas and can remove plant nutrients and other contaminants from runoff before they reach the stream. Riparian areas are also valuable as a source of food, water and cover for wildlife.

Resources: Nebraska Game & Parks Pond Management Guide Series

Controlling Beaver Damage

Controlling Pond Plant Growth With Bottom Barriers