Irrigators in some Southeast Nebraska counties may have to install meters on large-capacity wells over the next two years.
ALGIS J. LAUKAITIS / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Thursday, November 22, 2007 6:00 pm
Irrigators in several Southeast Nebraska counties could be required to install meters on large-capacity wells over the next two years.
Mandatory metering is one of several proposals the Lower Platte South Natural Resources District is considering as part of an update of its groundwater rules and regulations, said assistant general manager Paul Zillig.
The district plans to hold a public hearing on the proposals in the next 60 days, but no date has been set.
The Lower Platte South NRD includes most of Lancaster and Cass and parts of Saunders, Butler Seward and Otoe counties.
About 750 registered wells could be affected by the meter requirement, Zillig said. Under the proposal, the district would pay about half of the $300 to $500 cost per meter.
“We haven’t updated our rules and regulations since they were first adopted in the early 1990s,” he said, “and there have been some changes in the law since then.”
Under Nebraska law, the state’s 23 natural resources districts are responsible for managing groundwater resources within their respective boundaries.
Here is a brief summary of the proposed changes:
* Require meters by Jan. 30, 2010, on existing registered wells that can pump more than 50 gallons per minute.
* Certify all acres irrigated by groundwater by Jan. 1, 2009. Those acres would be verified using county assessor records.
* Require additional information before approving new well permits, including a well log, static water level, 24-hour pump test and water quality tests.
* Require detailed studies to determine impact of new high-capacity wells on neighboring landowners.
* Limit excessive watering of plants/lawns from domestic wells. The change is aimed mostly at orchards and nurseries to encourage conservation.
* Establish a procedure for investigating salt water intrusion. Zillig said a landowner who wants to put in a deep well could pull in brackish water into a healthy aquifer, potentially harming neighboring domestic wells.
* Allow groundwater transfers for domestic or municipal use but ban such transfers for environmental, recreational, agricultural and industrial uses.
Reach Algis J. Laukaitis at473-7243 or alaukaitis@journalstar.com.