Water Pollution In Nebraska: How Bad Is It?

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 a report by the nonprofit Environment America Research and Policy Center. The main sources of pollution include agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and pesticide use, with contaminants such as nitrogen compounds, fecal bacteria, and mercury affecting both surface water and groundwater. The high levels of nitrates in drinking water have serious health implications, particularly for infants, and contribute to oxygen-depleted dead zones in the water.

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

The report, titled "Wasting Our Waterways," revealed that industrial facilities dumped 10.5 million pounds of toxic substances into Nebraska's rivers and streams in 2012. Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. was identified as the biggest polluter in Nebraska, releasing over 4 million pounds of toxins. The presence of nitrates in Nebraska's waterways is attributed to agricultural practices, particularly the overuse of nitrogen fertiliser on corn and soybean fields.

Nebraska's agricultural sector, which includes intensive pesticide and fertiliser usage, is a significant contributor to water pollution. Pesticide concentrations in Nebraska's streams from 1992 to 1995 were among the highest recorded by the NAWQA, and pesticides were detected in all water samples from the Platte River alluvial aquifer. Mercury contamination of fish tissue exceeded water quality standards in five streams and five lakes during 1997–2000.

The high levels of nitrates in Nebraska's groundwater and surface water, such as streams and lakes, pose a risk to both the environment and human health. Nitrate contamination can lead to excessive plant and algae growth, altered pH levels, and depleted oxygen levels in the water. This, in turn, affects the quality of life, economics, and recreational opportunities for Nebraskans.

Addressing water pollution in Nebraska requires collaborative efforts and a comprehensive understanding of the key issues. The state and federal agencies are working to monitor and mitigate nitrate pollution through various measures. Additionally, the EPA is considering a new rule to restore Clean Water Act protection to over 60,000 miles of waterways across the nation.

High nitrate levels in drinking water

Nebraska's water quality is impacted by agricultural practices, with agricultural non-point sources linked to the contamination of streams by runoff containing nutrients and bacteria. Central Nebraska is one of the most intensely agricultural areas, with high levels of pesticide and fertiliser use. As a result, nitrate levels in the Platte River alluvial aquifer have been among the highest of any NAWQA study unit.

The presence of high nitrate levels in drinking water can be attributed to various sources, including runoff or leakage from fertilised soil, wastewater, landfills, animal feedlots, septic systems, and urban drainage. Natural processes can also contribute to low levels of nitrate in drinking water, usually below 3 mg/L. However, human-made sources of nitrate contamination are a significant concern, as these can lead to increasing nitrate levels over time.

To address high nitrate levels in drinking water, it is recommended to test water sources regularly, particularly for private wells. Home water treatment systems can be installed to reduce nitrate levels, but it is advised that babies under six months old should not consume treated water, as they are at the highest risk of developing nitrate-induced methemoglobinemia. In such cases, bottled water may be a safer alternative.

Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is the biggest polluter in Nebraska

Nebraska's water quality is affected by a variety of factors, including agricultural practices, urban development, and natural sources. While the state has made efforts to improve water quality, it continues to face challenges such as contamination from pesticides, fertilizers, and bacteria.

Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is a prominent company in the meat industry, known for supplying beef and pork products globally. However, the company has also gained notoriety for being the biggest polluter in Nebraska. Located in Dakota County, Dakota City, the Tyson Fresh Meats plant has been responsible for significant environmental damage.

In 2014, Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. released 4,443,635 pounds of pollutants, according to data from the Toxic Release Inventory Program. This massive amount of pollution has had detrimental effects on the surrounding ecosystem and water bodies. The company has also faced legal consequences for its actions. In 2002, Tyson Fresh Meats, then known as IBP Inc., entered into a consent decree with the federal government and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. This decree aimed to address the facility's non-compliance with state and federal laws regarding wastewater discharge.

Despite the consent decree and the requirement to install a nitrification system to reduce ammonia levels, Tyson Fresh Meats failed to properly operate the system. As a result, they violated the terms of their National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The consequences of their actions were severe, with high levels of toxicity in the Missouri River causing harm to aquatic life. The company was penalized and required to pay a substantial fine to settle the allegations.

Tyson Fresh Meats' actions have had a significant impact on the environment and have highlighted the importance of strict adherence to environmental regulations. While the company strives to improve its supply chain and environmental stewardship, its history as Nebraska's biggest polluter underscores the need for constant vigilance and accountability in protecting the state's water resources.

Sources of nutrients include raw or treated sewage, commercial fertilizers, and animal manure

Nebraska's water quality is affected by agricultural practices, with agricultural nonpoint sources being linked to the contamination of streams. Central Nebraska is one of the most intensely agricultural areas, with high pesticide and fertilizer use.

Sources of nutrients that contribute to water pollution include raw or treated sewage, commercial fertilizers, and animal manure. When these sources are not managed properly, they can negatively impact the environment. For example, raw sewage is rich in nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, which can cause environmental problems when dumped into water bodies. Excess nitrogen leads to harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, acid rain, nitrogen saturation in forests, and even contributes to climate change. Similarly, agricultural production relies on natural and synthetic fertilizers, which often contain high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. When plants do not fully utilize these nutrients, they can negatively impact water quality downstream.

Commercial fertilizers and animal manure are other significant sources of nutrients. When improperly managed, they can affect both plant and animal life. For instance, they can lead to algae blooms, causing oxygen depletion in surface waters, and introduce pathogens and nitrates into drinking water sources. Additionally, the emission of odours and gases into the air can occur. Nutrients from manure and fertilizers enter lakes and streams through runoff and soil erosion. As soil-test nitrogen and phosphorus levels increase, the risk of contaminating water bodies also rises.

To address nutrient pollution, strategies such as installing buffer zones of vegetation around farms or creating artificial wetlands to absorb excess nutrients can be implemented. Improving wastewater treatment and reducing sewage dumping are also crucial in limiting nutrient discharge into water systems. These measures are essential to mitigate the economic and health impacts of nutrient pollution, which include increased water treatment costs, losses in commercial fishing and shellfish harvesting, and potential health issues from excess nitrates and disinfection by-products in drinking water.

High pesticide concentrations in Nebraska streams

Nebraska's air quality is considered good, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) score of 44. However, the state's water quality is a cause for concern, particularly due to high pesticide concentrations in its streams.

Nebraska is one of the most intensively agricultural areas in the United States, with agriculture being the dominant land use in central Nebraska. As a result, agricultural practices have a significant impact on the quantity and quality of water resources in the state. Pesticide concentrations in Nebraska's streams during 1992-1995 were among the largest measured at any NAWQA site, and pesticides were detected in all water samples from the Platte River alluvial aquifer. The Central Nebraska Basins assessment, which focuses on the area drained by the Platte River, aims to address these water quality issues.

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) has evaluated ground and surface water monitoring data, pesticide use data, and chemical property information for 88 active ingredients. Two of these ingredients, acetochlor and atrazine, were classified as "pesticides of concern" due to levels found in water that exceeded the concentration and frequency of occurrence believed to impact aquatic life. The NDA's report also found that while very few wells across the state had concentrations exceeding a product's MCL, over one-third of the wells with detections of any product also contained at least one more parent compound.

The vulnerability of groundwater to pesticide contamination depends on various factors, including the depth of the water table and soil surface characteristics. Shallower water tables allow for a longer transport time, increasing the likelihood of pesticides breaking down through chemical or biological action. Additionally, certain soil types, such as those with a clayey, silty, or loamy texture, may contribute to higher vulnerability.

To address water quality issues, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collects and analyzes information on water chemistry and hydrology in the Central Nebraska Basins. Continuous monitoring of water quality parameters, such as specific conductance, water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen, is conducted at multiple stations. These efforts contribute to the NAWQA program's comprehensive assessment of the quality of streams and groundwater, helping to identify critical water-quality issues and guide management practices to reduce agrichemical contaminants in Nebraska's streams.

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