Lincoln – The Nebraska Department Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are offering free testing for total coliform and E.coli for samples submitted by private well owners during the collection events listed below. In addition, information about septic systems and disposal of solid wastes will also be available.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and Nebraska Department and Health and Human Services remind the public that after a flood, the owners of household wells should take certain precautions to make sure their water is safe and their well is in good operating condition.

An obvious concern is that flood water loaded with bacteria, chemicals or other pollutants may have gotten into the well. A less obvious concern is electrical shock if a non-submersible pump or any part of the well electrical system is flooded.

After a flood one should:
 

Lincoln – The Nebraska Department Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) are offering free testing for total coliform and E.coli for samples submitted by private well owners during the collection events listed below. In addition, information about septic systems and disposal of solid wastes will also be available.

Nebraskans who find dead livestock that died in the mid-March floods and blizzards have until April 15 to report the carcasses to the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality at 1-877-253-2603 for help in removing the animals.

NDEQ will log the information, and USDA crews will handle pick-up and disposal of the animals.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is partnering with the Environmental Protection Agency to identify, report and remove containers of potentially hazardous materials that were displaced by the March 2019 floods.

There are numerous ongoing efforts involving the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) and the Nebraska Energy Office (NEO) as flood recovery efforts continue. Among these efforts are:

New 0% Loans for Interim Drinking Water and Wastewater Projects

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and the Nebraska Energy Office have developed a 2019 flood “dashboard” that provides summaries and updates of ongoing flood-related issues. On the first page, maps provide the status of wastewater facilities, public water systems, waste debris management, and livestock facilities. Text also provides updates on air and energy objectives and status of activities. The second page provides a table and text that provides more detailed county-by-county explanation of areas where there continue to be significant issues.

In conjunction with the U.S. EPA and numerous other organizations, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality is recognizing Air Quality Awareness Week, which runs from April 29 to May 3, 2019. For more information about Air Quality Awareness Week, visit EPA’s web page at https://www3.epa.gov/airnow/airaware/.

In recognition of the week, NDEQ is providing three articles below that focus on air quality topics, including “Wildfires and Smoke”, “Air Quality Index and Sensors”, and “Air Quality and Your Community”.

The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality has received questions concerning debris management and other issues caused by the mid-March flooding. Below are some of the most commonly asked questions and their answers.

Can I burn carcasses that are on my property?
Yes, with proper permits obtained by NDEQ and the local fire department.

Do I have to pump my septic tank after the flood?
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 Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality and its partners have begun weekly sampling of public lakes across Nebraska.

This sampling will test for harmful algal blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae, and E. coli bacteria at 51 public recreational lakes across the state. The testing takes place annually from May through September. In coordination with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the state will issue Health Alerts for HABs when test results indicate the toxin microcystin are at levels above 20 parts per billion.