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Keeping Nebraska Local: NRD Protecting Water Quality

Keeping Nebraska Local: NRD Protecting Water Quality

As our knowledge and understanding of aquifer systems, soil science and geology have increased over the past half century, agricultural technology and practices have evolved. But the impact of heavy nitrogen use, heavy tilling and overuse of irrigation over the decades have resulted in high nitrate levels in the groundwater. NRDs across the state are working with ag producers and municipalities to address these challenges and ensure adequate sources of clean water into the future. Low or no-till practices, cover crops, and proper timing of nitrogen fertilizer application and irrigation have resulted in reduction of nitrate levels in some parts of Nebraska. This segment explains the approaches being applied to these challenges, and demonstrates why it may take another 50 years to truly solve the problems. To learn more about water quality in Nebraska, click here.