The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is reminding private well owners that the application deadline of March 31 is quickly approaching for the Private Well Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program.

Private well reverse osmosis system rebates are available to property owners of private wells with drinking water test levels above 10 parts per million (ppm) of nitrate. Applicants will be eligible for up to $4,000 in rebates per small treatment installation that is effective in the removal of nitrate to a level below 10 ppm. Testing costs, purchase price of the system, and installation costs are eligible expenses that can be included in a rebate application.

This rebate program is being funded through $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, which is part of a larger $4 million ARPA initiative administered by NDEE as authorized by the 2022 Legislature.

Applicants will need to ensure that their well is registered with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. A water well registration document can be downloaded from the Department of Natural Resources website at this address: https://nednr.nebraska.gov/dynamic/Wells/Wells

Applicants will be required to submit water quality data from the State laboratory with testing results dated no earlier than January 1, 2022. Testing is available to any private citizen in the state at https://www.nebraska.gov/dhhs/water-test-kits/private.html.

Applications from property owners will also be required to contain a cost estimate for the installation of a reverse osmosis treatment device certified by the American National Standards Institute. That cost estimate must come from a licensed plumber or an entity that has performed at least five successful Private Well Reverse Osmosis Small Water Treatment installations.

Participation in the rebate program requires pre-approval from NDEE. The installation of any reverse osmosis small water treatment system cannot begin until a rebate agreement is signed between the private well owner and NDEE.

NDEE will disperse approved rebates following successful installation and demonstration of effective removal of nitrate to a level below 10 ppm. Follow-up testing will need to be submitted to the department to demonstrate successful removal of nitrate to a level below 10 ppm. Installations and follow-up testing need to be completed by September 30, 2024.

All requirements for the Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program, including the application forms and an instructional video, can be found on NDEE’s website at /forms/publications-grants-forms/22-051. Inquiries can also be made to NDEE State Revolving Fund Section Supervisor Steve McNulty at steve.mcnulty@nebraska.gov or 402-471-4200.