Federal nonpoint source pollution funds can be used to support projects that address nonpoint source contamination of groundwater, but it wasn’t always a simple process. The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy was integral in justifying the use these funds for groundwater projects by proving the connection between surface water and groundwater quality.

Rundown or abandoned structures can present a safety hazard, be an eyesore, and impede economic development in some areas. Property owners or communities seeking an expedient solution to removing these troubled properties often resolve the problem through the use of permitted fire training burns, a practice which can yield valuable, life-saving experience for Nebraska fire departments.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that nearly one in four households depend on septic systems or other types of onsite systems for wastewater treatment. To protect surface water and groundwater, as well as public health and welfare, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s Onsite Wastewater Program regulates these systems through Title 124 – Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Clean drinking water is a critical resource that Nebraskans depend on every day, and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) is committed to preserving and protecting clean drinking water throughout the state. One of the ways the department achieves that is through the certification and training of public water system operators under the regulations of Title 179 – Public Water Systems.

As Nebraskans begin spring cleaning, some may tackle clearing out their cupboards, closets, basements, attics, garages, or sheds. And that means many may find materials they’re not sure what to do with, including cleaning products; pesticides and herbicides; pool chemicals; oil-based paints; vehicle fluids; or hobby materials like adhesives and solvents.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy and Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, in conjunction with the Lincoln-Lancaster County Department of Health, the Douglas County Health Department and support from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment are providing the latest forecasts and information regarding the impact prescribed fires and wildfires have on air quality. There are a multitude of variables that factor into any smoke advisory prediction: the weather, the number of acres being burned and the fuel load on those acres, to name a few.

Whether it’s turning on a faucet or flushing a toilet, these are two everyday occurrences that most people have likely taken for granted at one time or another. In reality, there is a complex set of systems and processes behind these seemingly simple actions, and it takes a team of engineers to ensure that water from the tap stays clean and that wastewater is treated properly.

At the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE), engineers are a vital component in the department’s commitment to protecting human health and the environment.

April 18, 2023 – The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy’s draft 2022 Water Quality Integrated Report is now available for public review and comment.

Medical waste is generated every day throughout the state in homes, hospitals, and medical facilities. How this waste is disposed depends on where it was generated and if it’s considered infectious.

“Medical Waste” is an industry term for waste generated via healthcare activities, yet it is the term most of us are most familiar with. Most medical waste is not dangerous, and a majority of it goes to permitted landfills like any other solid waste. However, some medical wastes can also be considered infectious wastes.

Due to their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate valuable and renewable biogas energy, anaerobic digesters are a topic of growing interest within the agricultural sector.

To ensure that agricultural facilities with anaerobic digesters operate in an environmentally responsible manner, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) regulates and permits agricultural facilities with digesters in the state.