Storm Recovery & Flooding in Nebraska: Environmental Guidance

No, you do not have to pump. You should check to make sure it has not filled with mud or sediment from the flood.

The operation needs to do what would have the least environmental impact. Discharging to a stream should be the absolute last resort if it can be demonstrated that there was not any other option. The operation should look for a location to pump to and send any water over cropland or grass.

While inhalation of dust is not advisable, the possible health issues associated with inhaling biological constituents related to dust in flooded areas should not be an issue. Upon drying out, the E. coli or other bacteria will die from lack of moisture, and ultraviolet light from the sun will also aid in neutralizing the bacteria.

If you are a producer, contact your local Natural Resource Conservation Service office to find out what programs they offer. If you are not a producer, the NDEE has guidance on the proper disposal of animal carcasses.

NDEE has guidance documents for both sand and sandbags. In general, flood sediment should not be used in ways that will involve direct human contact, such as children’s play areas or residential gardening. Common management options include using the sediment as fill material, daily cover on a landfill or disposal in a municipal or construction and demolition landfill. Dairies can also use the sand in their barns as bedding material or sand lanes.

Ideally, continue to use the chemicals for their intended purpose. However, household hazardous waste can also be disposed along with your normal household garbage. In some areas, your local emergency manager may be setting up areas to collect these chemical for disposal. Check with your local emergency manager.

Coliform bacteria and nitrates are the primary contaminants that should be tested for.

Test kits can be ordered from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ Public Health Environmental Lab by calling (402) 471-2122.

While flood waters carried contaminants, there was also fresh water from snow melt and rainfall that carried these contaminants downstream. The fish were not exposed to these contaminants for a long period of time, so it is unlikely that contaminants accumulated in the fishes’ tissues.

Contaminants that were in lakes were likely diluted by snow melt and rainfall. Additionally, the sun’s UV rays readily kills most bacteria. Since the flooding, it is likely that bacteria levels in sandpit lakes have dropped dramatically. Those concerned about the state of private lakes can contact their local laboratories or call NDEE at (402) 471-2186.

From households, it includes the water and wastes that come from your sinks, showers, tubs, toilets, dishwashers, washing machines, and floor drains. It is mostly water, but can contain human wastes, food wastes, detergents and anything else that gets washed down your drain. Wastewater can also come from industries. Like households, this waste can come from sinks, toilets, and floor drains, and it also can include waste from food processing or manufacturing processes. Any industry that discharges significant wastewater must obtain a permit from NDEE which limits the types and volumes of wastes in their discharge water.
 

Wastewater that is sent to wastewater treatment plants typically includes these household and industrial sources, and, depending on the system, can also include groundwater, surface water and stormwater.

Avoid any physical contact with the water. Floodwaters can have dangerous currents, and there are also hazards of pathogens in the water. If you have been in contact with floodwaters, avoid touching your mouth or eyes, and try to thoroughly wash off as quickly as possible. Also, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services advises that wells owners near flooded areas should take proactive measures to prevent private well contamination, and have their wells tested. See the related information at DHHS’s web site at

There has been a concerted effort at the local, state and federal levels to prevent bypasses from occurring. These efforts include diking and sandbagging to prevent floodwaters from reaching wastewater facilities and finding alternative discharge methods if the outflow point of treated wastewater is under water. Protecting infrastructure and public health and safety are top priorities of these efforts.

Yes. Those responsible for municipal and privately-owned wastewater treatment facilities are required in their permits to notify NDEE of any bypass. They are also required to notify the public and downstream users of the bypass. (See related NDEE Fact Sheet “ Information for Those Considering Bypassing Wastewater Treatment. ") 

This is a unique flooding situation, because it is predicted that river levels may be above flood stages for months. In some cases, those who are currently bypassing do not have any other feasible short-term alternative, and may need to continue bypassing until water levels recede. In addition, if there is heavy precipitation in areas upstream, flooding could become dramatically worse in a short period of time. Numerous wastewater treatment facilities in low-lying areas on the Missouri and Platte Rivers are vulnerable to flooding and the potential for bypasses.

The Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, in close coordination with other state agencies, the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the affected municipalities are making every effort to protect wastewater facilities and keep them operating. In the event the flooding results in an interruption of service, every effort will be made to restore the service as soon as possible when flood waters recede.

NDEE and other state agencies will continue working with those involved with wastewater treatment facilities, with the shared goal of minimizing the amount of bypassing and restoring wastewater treatment services as quickly as possible.

Yes. The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), which provides low-interest loans and grants to wastewater treatment facilities, and the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), which provides loans and grants to drinking water facilities, do have specific emergency assistance provisions. Specifically, Chapter 3 of Title 131 -- Rules and Regulations for the Wastewater Treatment Facilities and Drinking Water Construction Assistance Programs, states that a loan applicant may apply for emergency assistance under the CWSRF and the DWSRF. Under the CWSRF Act, a municipality may apply for an emergency grant or loan to repair or replace Wastewater Treatment Works which have been damaged or destroyed by natural disaster or other unanticipated actions or circumstances.