Private well owners in Northeast Nebraska, may have nitrates and other chemicals in their drinking water – nitrate has no smell or taste, and cannot be detected unless tested for.
If a well does have elevated nitrates in its water, well owners can installing a Reverse Osmosis (RO) system to remove contaminants. These systems ensure that the quality of your drinking water meets health standards.
The good news is that over $1.2 million dollars is available through the state revolving fund to reimburse private well owners for installing a RO system. Homeowners are eligible for up to a $4,000 reimbursement for under sink or whole house water treatment systems and it is easy to apply.
Eligibility Requirements:
Private wells must be registered with the Nebraska Department of Resources for a onetime fee of $70.
Wells must be tested through the State Lab to see if the water qualifies. Owners can have their well tested independently or the LENRD offers Free testing.
Cost estimate from a licensed plumber must be submitted for the installation of an RO system certified by the American National Standards Institute.
RO systems must be certified by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and equipped with a performance indication device to monitor performance. A sample will be collected and tested at the State Laboratory to insure it’s working properly.
Reasons to register a well:
* Registering a well will cost around $70 which is the responsibility of the well owner. What they get in return is over $300 in water testing for free! Testing water, especially if the well has a family drinking, bathing, and cooking with it, will give you piece of mind that the water is safe.
Registering your well gives you rights and protections from spacing requirements. This gives you protection from potential infringements on your quality and quantity of water from new wells drilled in the future.
“Registering your well is easy and it opens the door to this program and others that may be offered by the LENRD in the future. The potential to save thousands of dollars and improve the quality of your drinking water make this program WELL worth looking into!” said NRD representatives.