High Nitrates Detected In Little Blue NRD Wells

By Gordon HopkinsHigh nitrates detected in wells in the Little Blue Natural Resources District (LBNRD) has led the district to propose reclassifying four Water Quality Sub-Areas from Level II controls to Level III controls.The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has set an enforceable standard called a maximum contaminant level (MCL) in water for nitrates at 10 parts per million (ppm). The EPA believes that exposure below this level is not expected to cause significant health problems for humans or livestock. All public water supplies must abide by these regulations.Referencing LBNRD’s Groundwater Management Rules and Regulations, Tyler Goeschel, LBNRD Assistant Manager, told FJN, “The Sub-Areas that are being moved from Level II to Level III have met the trigger levels to warrant the move up in control (page 18 in the rules, section 4.2). Essentially, more than 60 percent of the wells in those sub-areas have tested over 10 ppm.”The four areas to be changed are: Kenesaw/Prosser Sub-Area Deshler/Byron/Ruskin Sub-Area Bruning Sub-Area Fairbury Sub-AreaThe change of Water Quality Sub-Areas from Level II to Level III would expand soil sampling requirements. Goeschel said, “Chapter 6 of the rules goes into detail about what the regulations for those areas will be. Level III actions begin on page 22 in section 6.2. The biggest change for Level III folks is that soil sampling requirements expand from one demonstration field to all fields within the sub-area. Also, commercial fertilizer is prohibited prior to March 1st unless an inhibitor is used. There’s more in there but those are the main changes.”A hearing to discuss the proposed changes, as well as changes to LBNRD’s Groundwater Management Rules and Regulations, was scheduled for Tuesday evening, March 12, in the LBNRD boardroom in Davenport, immediately preceding the full board meeting. Proposed amendments include: Definitions would be modified, added, or struck, with unnecessary language struck or modified to better conform to state law. Combining or pooling of irrigated acres during an allocation period would be prohibited. “Grievances” has been replaced with a “Complaints” protocol for enforcement of Rules, and an “Agreement Between Groundwater Users” section has been added. The Agreement Between Groundwater Users entails using irrigation runoff for a beneficial use if it can be captured and utilized properly.

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