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Building the Capacity of Drinking Water Systems

Nebraska

State Agencies Supporting Water System Partnerships

Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services

State Policies and Programs Regarding Water System Partnerships

COORDINATE WITH LAND-USE PLANNING

The 2011 Triennial Report to the Governor stated that the “Department currently encourages the consolidation of existing systems in certain circumstances, and requires TMF capacity to be demonstrated by new community and non-transient non-community PWS’s prior to being issued a permit to operate a PWS. The process to regionalize water systems may need to have a larger role in the Nebraska drinking water future. Future regulations will require a greater effort by the Department to act as a technical resource to help cities and counties acquire the information they need to understand drinking water capacity issues and then incorporate these issues into their planning efforts. The Department will implement meetings throughout the state to bring these issues to the attention of local governments. At the July 16, 2008 Stakeholder meeting it was stated that working with other associations such as the Natural Resources District’s and local county planning commissions is necessary to enhance land use planning objectives.” 

NEW SYSTEMS MUST CONSIDER INTERCONNECTION TO EXISTING SYSTEMS

Nebraska’s Capacity Development Report to the Governor states that the lack of planning in rural areas has a negative impact on the economics of producing safe drinking water. Local and county governments often fail to incorporate drinking water issues in land use planning, particularly in the development of unincorporated areas adjacent to existing municipal and not-for-profit PWSs. The Department currently encourages the consolidation of existing systems in certain circumstances, and requires TMF capacity to be demonstrated by new systems prior to being approved.

Helpful Links to State Resources