Bill to Provide Filters for Drinking Water with High Nitrates

By Gordon Hopkins One of the bills under consideration by the legislature is intended to address the growing problem of nitrates in Nebraska drinking water. This bill would provide funds for reverse osmosis water filtration systems for wells with a high nitrate content.Reverse osmosis is a water treatment process that removes contaminants from water by using pressure to force water molecules through a semipermeable membrane to separate ions, unwanted molecules and larger particles from drinking water. A reverse osmosis process can remove most nitrates from water.LB (Legislative Bill) 766 was introduced by Senator Barry DeKay, District 40, of Niobrara. According to the bill's statement of intent, “LB 766 would appropriate $3,250,000 for FY2023-24 and $3,250,000 for FY2024-25 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars to the Department of Environment and Energy to award a grant to any person for reverse osmosis systems if a test result for nitrates in the person's drinking water pumped from one or more of such person's private wells is above 10 parts per million (ppm).”The maximum nitrate level recommended by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) in drinking water is 10 ppm.Testimony was heard by the Appropriations Committee on Monday, March 13, where DeKay offered an amendment that would lower the appropriation to $1.625 million each year and specify that any money awarded must comply with ARPA requirements.DeKay also acknowledged the bill was only a stop-gap measure.“This bill would provide a short-term solution while the Legislature and other stakeholders work to create longer-term solutions,” said DeKay. “Providing safe drinking water for all Nebraskans ought to be a priority.” Fairbury's current water sources have repeatedly tested high in nitrates. The city is examining alternatives to address the growing nitrate problem. To that end, the city has created a Water Sourcing Committee. All four members of the committee are Fairbury City Council members: Doug Brown, Kelly Davis, John Ebke and Brian Schmidt, as chair.At a meeting of the city council on Tuesday, March 7, the council approved contracting with Miller and Associates Consulting Engineers, P.C. for water supply evaluation services.No one testified in opposition to the bill. The committee took no action at the time.Earlier this year, the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) began accepting applications for the Private Well Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program.Private well reverse osmosis system rebates are available to property owners of private wells with drinking water test levels above 10 ppm of nitrate. Applicants will be eligible for up to $4,000 in rebates per small treatment installation that is effective in the removal of nitrate to a level below 10 ppm. Rebate applications can include testing costs, purchase price of the system, and installation costs.Applications are still being accepted until March 31, 2023. More information on the Reverse Osmosis Rebate Program, along with the application forms and an instructional video, can be found on NDEE’s website at http://dee.ne.gov/Publica.nsf/pages/22-051.Inquiries can also be made to NDEE State Revolving Fund Section Supervisor Steve McNulty at steve.mcnulty@nebraska.gov or 402-471-4200.

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