Lincoln – The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy 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 53 public recreational lakes across the state. The testing takes place annually from May through September.

As Nebraskans begin spending time outdoors or going on vacation, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy ensures seasonal water systems are up and running properly so everyone has access to clean drinking water.

Nebraska has 90 seasonal systems that include places like golf courses, state recreational areas and RV parks. A seasonal system is defined as a non-community water system that is closed to the public for 90 consecutive days per year. It needs to start up at the beginning of its operating season and shut down properly at the end of the season.

Grants for 2023 for the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive, Litter Reduction and Recycling, and Scrap Tire programs can be submitted between July 13 and August 24, 2022 (4:00 p.m. CST). The grant term will be January 1 through December 31, 2023. Grant decisions will be announced in December 2022. An estimated $3 million will be available for Litter grants and $4.5 million for Waste grant awards.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) and its partners have begun weekly sampling for harmful algal blooms (HABs) at Nebraska’s public lakes.

Between May and September, the state tests for HABs at 53 public lakes each week to protect public health. HABs, also referred to as toxic blue-green algae, refer to certain strains of cyanobacteria that produce the toxin microcystin. HABs are caused by a combination of factors: water temperature, low water depths and high levels of nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus.

During an assessment of the Nox-Crete warehouse fire site in Omaha and surrounding areas Thursday, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) observed charred debris that had been dispersed by the fire. NDEE discovered the debris at a location approximately 1.25 miles east-southeast of the facility.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) will hold an online public outreach event on the proposed changes to Title 119, Nebraska Rules and Regulations Pertaining To The Issuance Of Permits Under The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

The meeting is intended for the regulated community and stakeholders, as well as the general public. NDEE is conducting its outreach efforts now so that any informal comments the department receives from the public can be evaluated and incorporated when possible to present to the Environmental Quality Council (EQC).

Warm weather projects may mean households have a variety of items they need to get rid of. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy provides guidance on how certain materials need to be disposed.

While cleaning or renovating a home or yard, it’s important to remember which items are banned from landfills statewide:

Lincoln — The state has issued a health alert for Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), also known as toxic blue-green algae, at Kirkman’s Cove Lake.

Samples taken earlier this week at the lake measure above the threshold of 8 parts per billion (ppb) of total microcystin, which is a toxin released by certain strains of blue-green algae.

To ensure safe and sanitary conditions, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), through the Environmental Safety Program, completes more than 2,750 inspections of public pools, camps, parks, schools, and child and senior care centers each year. A group of seven environmental health specialists, located throughout the state, is tasked with maintaining this comprehensive inspection schedule.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) has launched a new online portal to streamline the application and certification process for water well professionals, public water operators, onsite installers, swimming pool operators and wastewater treatment operators.

The portal is live on NDEE’s website and was created specifically for aspiring and credentialed professionals to apply for and maintain their licenses. Credentialed professionals can create an online account here: Credentials