Water Pollution In Nebraska: How Does The State Rank?

Nebraska's waterways are ranked as the sixth worst in the nation for toxic pollution, with high levels of nitrates, phosphorus, e.coli, and atrazine. In 2012, industrial facilities dumped 10.5 million pounds of toxic chemicals into the state's rivers and streams, according to the report Wasting Our Waterways. The Lower Platte River, a main source of drinking water for Lincoln and Omaha, ranked fifth in the nation for the highest amount of total toxic discharges. Agricultural practices, including pesticide and fertilizer use, are a significant contributor to water pollution in Nebraska, with nitrate levels in the Platte River alluvial aquifer among the highest of any NAWQA study unit during 1992-1995.

Nebraska's waterways are the sixth-worst in the nation for toxic pollution

Nebraska's waterways are ranked as the sixth-worst in the US for toxic pollution, according to a 2024 report. The contamination is largely due to high levels of nitrates, which can cause serious health issues in infants and create "dead zones" in bodies of water. The report, titled "Wasting Our Waterways", revealed that in 2012, industrial facilities dumped 10.5 million pounds of toxic chemicals into Nebraska's rivers and streams.

The Lower Platte River, a primary source of drinking water for Lincoln and Omaha, ranked fifth in the US for the highest total toxic discharges, with nearly 3,726,866 pounds discharged in 2012. Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. was identified as the biggest polluter in Nebraska, releasing 4,220,510 pounds of toxic pollution into the state's waterways. The report also noted that Nebraska's rivers and streams are contaminated with dangerous chemicals like chromium and lead compounds, which can cause cancer and impact children's development.

Agricultural practices are a significant contributor to water pollution in Nebraska. The state's intensive agricultural activities, including the use of pesticides and fertilizers, have led to high levels of pesticide and nutrient concentrations in its waterways. For example, during 1992-1995, nitrate levels in the Platte River alluvial aquifer were among the highest recorded by the NAWQA study unit. Additionally, sources such as raw or treated sewage, commercial fertilizers, and animal manure further compound the issue.

To address the water quality issues in Nebraska, collaborative efforts are necessary. This includes involvement from government agencies, researchers, and interest groups to implement effective solutions. The Clean Water Act and state-issued permits aim to regulate wastewater treatment, but further measures are required to protect Nebraska's water resources and the health of its residents.

High nitrate levels in drinking water

Nebraska's water quality is a growing concern, with high nitrate levels detected in many of its water sources. Nitrate contamination in groundwater is a pressing issue, impacting the drinking water of nearly 33,000 Nebraskans, according to the 2018 Nebraska Public Water Supply Program Summary Report. This is a more significant problem than arsenic or uranium contamination in the state's water supply.

The primary source of nitrate contamination in Nebraska's groundwater is the excessive application of nitrogen fertilizer on irrigated corn and soybean fields. Agriculture is the dominant land use in central Nebraska, and agricultural practices can significantly impact water resources. Nitrogen-based fertilizers are widely used to support the state's multibillion-dollar agriculture economy, which relies heavily on corn and soybean production. However, when nitrogen is not fully utilized by the crops, it seeps into the groundwater, leading to elevated nitrate levels.

The problem is exacerbated by the fact that Nebraska towns and cities heavily rely on groundwater for their drinking water. From 2003 to 2017, tests revealed elevated nitrate levels (3 milligrams per liter) in the tap water supplies of 349 towns and cities in Nebraska, affecting approximately 1.4 million people. The contamination has been worsening in 159 of these communities, with average nitrate levels climbing to 5.81 mg/L in 2017.

The mounting evidence of the harmful effects of nitrate has led to calls for stricter standards for drinking water. The current legal limit for nitrate in drinking water, set by the federal Safe Drinking Water Act, is 10 mg/L. This limit was established in 1962 to prevent "blue baby syndrome," a potentially fatal condition caused by oxygen deprivation in infants who ingest excessive nitrate. However, modern research indicates that even lower nitrate levels can have adverse health effects. As a result, there is a growing consensus that the acceptable standard for nitrate in drinking water should be lowered to better protect public health.

Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is the biggest polluter in Nebraska

Nebraska is one of the most agriculturally intensive states in the US, with agricultural practices affecting the quality of water resources. Streams in the state have been contaminated with runoff containing fecal bacteria and nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. Nebraska ranked second in the total number of cattle in 2000, and cattle waste, along with other livestock and wildlife waste, has impacted water quality. The state also faces issues with pesticide and herbicide contamination, with the Elkhorn River Basin being a significant contributor to herbicide transport.

The 2002 consent decree required the company to install a nitrification system to reduce ammonia levels in its wastewater. However, Tyson Fresh Meats failed to properly operate the system, resulting in discharges of fecal coliform and nitrites in violation of its National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The company has also faced temporary shutdowns of its Dakota City facility due to COVID-19 outbreaks, with deep cleaning and worker screenings conducted in collaboration with local health authorities.

Tyson Fresh Meats' actions have had significant environmental consequences, impacting the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems in Nebraska. The company's failure to comply with legal requirements and its role as the state's biggest polluter underscore the urgent need for stricter enforcement of environmental regulations and a stronger commitment to sustainable practices in the meat processing industry.

High pesticide concentrations in Nebraska streams

Nebraska's water quality is a concern, with the state's streams and groundwater facing contamination from various sources, including pesticides. While the state's air quality is deemed "good", with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 44, its water bodies are not faring as well.

Agriculture is the dominant land use in central Nebraska, and agricultural practices can significantly impact water resources. Pesticide use in agriculture is a critical issue in Nebraska, with the state's intensive farming methods contributing to high pesticide concentrations in its streams. During the period from 1992 to 1995, pesticide levels in Nebraska streams were among the highest recorded at any NAWQA (National Water-Quality Assessment) site. Pesticides were detected in all water samples from the Platte River alluvial aquifer, a critical water source for the state.

The Central Nebraska Basins, drained by the Platte River and its tributaries, is an area of focus for water-quality assessments. This region is one of the most intensely agricultural areas, with high pesticide and fertilizer use. The assessment aims to collect data on water chemistry, hydrology, and the presence of contaminants like pesticides and fertilizers.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has evaluated ground and surface water data for 88 active ingredients, and two of those, acetochlor and atrazine, have been designated "pesticides of concern." This classification is due to the levels found in water, mainly rivers and streams, exceeding the concentrations believed to impact aquatic life. The NDA's assessments also consider the vulnerability of groundwater to pesticide contamination, with soil surface characteristics and water depth playing a significant role.

While the specific ranking of Nebraska's water pollution among other states is unclear, the presence of high pesticide concentrations in its streams is a pressing issue. These pesticides can have detrimental effects on aquatic life and potentially impact human health. Continuous monitoring, data collection, and assessments are vital to understanding and mitigating the problem.

Mercury contamination of fish tissue

Nebraska is a state with a predominantly agricultural economy, and as such, its water quality is affected by agricultural practices. Nebraska ranked second in the US for the total number of cattle and cattle feed in 2000. The state's streams and rivers are contaminated with runoff containing faecal bacteria and nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, from sources such as raw or treated sewage, commercial fertilizers, and animal manure.

In addition to bacterial contamination, Nebraska's water quality is also affected by pesticides and herbicides. Pesticide concentrations in Nebraska's streams during 1992-1995 were among the largest measured by the NAWQA, and pesticides were detected in all water samples from the Platte River alluvial aquifer. The infiltration of herbicides and other surface-water contaminants into shallow alluvial groundwater is a concern for municipal water suppliers along the Platte Valley.

Mercury contamination is a significant issue in Nebraska's water bodies, with fish tissue exceeding water-quality criteria during 1997-2000 in five streams and five lakes in the study unit. Mercury is a dangerous contaminant that can cause abnormal brain development in unborn and young children, affecting their ability to think, learn, and problem-solve later in life. Even in adults, high doses of mercury can lead to serious health issues, with the earliest signs of mercury poisoning including tingling or numbness in the lips, tongue, fingers, or toes, as well as fatigue and blurred vision.

Mercury enters Nebraska's water bodies through airborne emissions, which are then dissolved in the water. Microorganisms convert this waterborne mercury into methylmercury, which is then absorbed by algae at the start of the food chain. This algae are consumed by fish and other organisms, who absorb methylmercury very efficiently but excrete it very slowly. As a result, methylmercury accumulates in the fish's tissue, especially in the viscera and muscle tissue. This process is known as bioaccumulation, and it results in higher trophic levels, such as zooplankton, small nekton, and larger fish, containing even higher levels of mercury.

The consumption of fish is the most significant source of mercury exposure for humans and animals. The danger level from consuming mercury-contaminated fish depends on the species and size of the fish, with larger, older, and predatory fish that eat smaller fish tending to have the highest mercury levels. Sharks, such as the mako shark, and other predatory fish like swordfish, are known to have very high levels of mercury. However, it is important to note that even smaller, non-predatory fish with shorter life spans can contain unsafe levels of mercury.

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