Education Commons^™

G08-1491 Drinking Water Treatment: Water Softening (Ion Exchange), Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

The presence of calcium (Ca) and/or magnesium (Mg) in water results in water being considered "hard." Calcium and magnesium ions in water react with heat, metallic plumbing, and chemical agents such as detergents to decrease the effectiveness of nearly any cleaning task. Hard water can be softened using an ion exchange softening process. This 2008 guide discusses the ion exchange water softening process and related equipment used for household water treatment.

G08-1489 Drinking Water Treatment: Activated Carbon Filtration, Bruce I. Dvorak, Sharon Skipton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Activated carbon filtration can effectively reduce certain organic compounds and chlorine in drinking water. It can also reduce the quantity of lead, dissolved radon, and harmless taste- and odor-causing compounds. This 2008 NebGuide discusses the principles, processes, and requirements of activated carbon filtration systems for the domestic (household) user.

G08-1569 Drinking Water: Uranium, Sharon Skipton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Naturally occurring uranium has always been present in some drinking water supplies in Nebraska. It became a newly regulated substance in public community drinking water supplies when the Environmental Protection Agency revised the Radionuclides Rule, which took effect in December 2003.

Uranium occurs naturally in soil and rocks. It can enter groundwater and contaminate drinking water, which, over time, can harm health. Learn what testing and treatment options are available.

Ec08-1552 Drinking Water: Arsenic, Sharon Skipton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element present in rocks and soil. Arsenic is the 20th most abundant element in the earth’s crust and often forms compounds by combining with oxygen, chlorine, and sulfur. As water passes through and over soil and rock formations, it dissolves many compounds and minerals including arsenic. The result is that varying amounts of soluble arsenic are present in some water sources. Arsenic chemistry is complex because it has many forms.

This 2008 NebGuide discusses arsenic in public and private drinking water supplies.

G08-1490 Drinking Water Treatment: Reverse Osmosis, Bruce I. Dvorak, Sharon Skipton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Homeowners can find out more about reverse osmosis (RO) in this 2008 guide, which discusses the principles and process of RO treatment for household drinking water.

G08-1333 Drinking Water: Lead, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak, Wayne Woldt, Steve Drda

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Small quantities of lead can be a serious health concern, especially for infants, children, and developing fetuses. This 2008 NebGuide discusses how to safely manage lead in a domestic water supply.

G08-1376 Drinking Water: Fluoride, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak, Wayne Woldt, Andy Kahle

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

At optimal levels, fluoride in drinking water can be beneficial to dental health. Learn more about fluoride concentration and potential health effects in this 2008 NebGuide.

G08-1360 Drinking Water: Copper, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak, Wayne Woldt, Steve Drda

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Too much copper in the human body can cause stomach and intestinal distress such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. This 2008 NebGuide discusses practices to manage copper in a domestic water supply such as one for a home or business.

G08-1614 Drinking Water: Certified Water Testing Laboratories In Nebraska, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This 2008 NebGuide explains the certification process water testing laboratories follow, and lists certified government and commercial operated laboratories.

G08-1475 Residential Onsite Wastewater Treatment: Mounds For Effluent Treatment, Janet R. Hygnstrom, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A mound wastewater treatment system may be right for lots that have slowly permeable soils, sandy soils, or a high water table. Learn the advantages, disadvantages and maintenance considerations of a mound system in this 2008 NebGuide.

G08-1493 Drinking Water Treatment: Distillation, Bruce I. Dvorak, Sharon Skipton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Homeowners are increasingly concerned about contaminants in their water supply that may affect health or cause taste, odor, or nuisance problems. Distillation, one of the oldest methods of water treatment, is an effective method for reducing many impurities found in water. This 2008 NebGuide discusses the process and related equipment used for household drinking water treatment by distillation.

G08-1492 Drinking Water Treatment: Sediment Filtration, Bruce I. Dvorak, Sharon Skipton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Sediment filters remove suspended matter such as sand, silt, loose scale, clay or organic material from the water. Untreated water passes through a filter medium which traps suspended matter on the surface or within the filter. This 2008 NebGuide discusses the principles, processes, and requirements of cartridge sediment filtration systems for the household user.

G08-1784 Drinking Water: Nitrate-Nitrogen, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt, Bruce I. Dvorak, Ralph Pulte

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Nitrate-nitrogen is sometimes present in drinking water. At certain levels it can present a health risk. Properly locating and constructing wells along with regularly testing can help manage risk and are discussed in this 2008 NebGuide.

Ec08-1488 Drinking Water Treatment: What You Need To Know When Selecting Water Treatment Equipment, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak, Shirley Niemeyer

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This 2008 NebGuide explores household water quality and treatment options and can help consumers select a treatment system suited to a particular situation.

G07-1704 Chloramines Water Disinfection: Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District And Lincoln Water System, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Bacteria and other disease-causing organisms in drinking water can cause intestinal infections, dysentery and a variety of other illnesses. Water disinfection reduces disease-causing organisms and prevents the transmission of disease. This 2007 NebGuide discusses the disinfection process used by the Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District and Lincoln Water System.

G07-1714 Drinking Water: Iron And Manganese, Bruce I. Dvorak, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt, Gyanendra Prasai

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Common water contaminants iron and manganese are not health hazards but can cause offensive taste, appearance and staining. Testing and treatment options are available for public and private water supplies and are discussed here in this 2007 NebGuide.

Ec798 Residential On-Site Wastewater Treatment: An Overview, Janet R. Hygnstrom, Wayne Woldt, Sharon Skipton

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Answers for homeowners, realtors and lenders about residential on-site wastewater treatment systems.

This publication will answer many questions that homeowners, potential homeowners, realtors and lenders have about residential on-site wastewater treatment systems. Information is based on Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality's "Title 124: Rules and Regulations for the Design, Operation and Maintenance of On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems.

Drinking Water: Approved Water Testing Laboratories In Nebraska, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebFact describes the laboratory approval and certification process for those which test drinking water, lists government and commercial approved laboratories, and includes tips for contacting a water testing laboratory.

G04-1536 Drinking Water: Storing An Emergency Supply, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak, Julie A. Albrecht

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Taking a little time now to store an emergency water supply can prepare for all types of disasters. If your water supply is disrupted, you will be able to provide for your entire family and possibly others. Effective methods of preparing water for storage include disinfection with chlorine and storing at room temperature, disinfection with chlorine and freezing, or canning.

Nf02-505 Drinking Water: Chloramines Waters Disinfection In Omaha Metropolitan Utilities District, Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Bacteria and other disease-causing organisms in drinking water can cause intestinal infections, dysentery, and a variety of other illnesses. Water disinfection reduces disease-causing organisms and prevents the transmission of disease. This publication discusses the disinfection process used by Metropolitan Utilities District and how it will change in 2002.

Ec98-746 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska's System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk: Introduction, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Groundwater provides nearly all the water for domestic use in rural Nebraska. It’s essential that the quality of our groundwater, along with that of our surface water resources, be protected. It is especially important to protect the drinking water supply on any homesites where a private domestic well is used. The risk to water quality of various activities at homesites and on surrounding lands varies. Identifying high-risk activities can help determine where to use limited financial and management resources. By increasing knowledge and using careful management, you can greatly reduce the risk of water contamination, often with little or no …

Ec98-753 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Fact Sheet 7: Improving Hazardous Materials And Waste Management, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Waste is inevitable. Things which have been outgrown, broken, replaced, or are just no longer needed add to the waste produced at homes, acreages and around farms. Most of the waste accumulated around the farm, acreage and home is solid waste. Solid waste includes all discarded materials — newspapers, empty paint cans, liquids, gases, pickle jars, orange peelings, leftover food, worn out shoes, junk mail — this list is endless. Some of these solid wastes contain potentially hazardous materials.

Ec98-771 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Fact Sheet 8: Improving Household Wastewater Treatment, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

A properly installed and maintained system for treating and disposing of household wastewater will minimize the impact of that system on groundwater and surfacewater. State and local codes specify how wastewater systems must be designed, installed, and maintained. For example, Title 124 regulates the design, operation, and maintenance of septic tank systems in Nebraska. In addition, federal and state regulations guide the stabilization and land application of wastewater septage.

Ec98-792 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Fact Sheet 16: Improving Crop Pesticide Application Management, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Though pesticides are especially harmful to the target pest, they are also potentially harmful to most living and breathing creatures and non-target plant life. Proper handling and application management of pesticides are important to protect you and to protect surface and groundwater from contamination. Pesticides were first found in groundwater in the 1970s. Prior to that, the general belief was that pesticides did not leach into the groundwater with normal use.

G98-1376 Drinking Water: Fluoride (Revised February 2005), Sharon Skipton, Bruce I. Dvorak

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This NebGuide discusses fluoride in domestic water supplies. Fluoride, a naturally occurring element, exists in combination with other elements as a fluoride compound and is found as a constituent of minerals in rocks and soil. When water passes through and over the soil and rock formations containing fluoride it dissolves these compounds, resulting in the small amounts of soluble fluoride present in virtually all water sources.

Ec98-748 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Worksheet 2: Site Evaluation, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Why is the site evaluation important? The effect of farm, ranch or homesite practices on groundwater depends in part on the physical characteristics of your site: soil type, subsurface characteristics and depth to groundwater. That’s why evaluating the soils and geologic characteristics of your site is such an important step in protecting the groundwater you drink. This evaluation focuses primarily on the farmstead or homesite and risk to groundwater, but, to a limited extent, also addresses surface water. The worksheet can be applied to land beyond the farmstead or homesite, but the variation in soils and geologic materials would have …

Ec98-747 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska's System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Summary Worksheet 1: Overall Assessment, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

This publication is the first of many dealing with Nebraska's Water Contamination. Getting started You will return to this worksheet after completing all other worksheets. It is designed toreview your total activities and give you a summary of areas of concern. It is suggested that you complete Worksheet 2 first and then complete all additional worksheets that pertain to your farm, ranch, or homesite. Transfer results from individual worksheets to complete this overall summary

Ec98-751 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Fact Sheet 9: Improving Livestock Manure Storage, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Manure storage is an important manure management option for livestock producers. Stored manure can be applied to the soil when nutrient uptake by crops can be maximized and weather related losses minimized. Preplant applications of manure incorporated into the soil ensures maximum crop nutrient value, while reducing risks of water contamination.

Ec98-758 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Worksheet 11: Land Application Of Manure, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Why should I be concerned? Stewardship of soil and water resources should be a goal of every livestock producer. Management decisions made relative to land application of livestock manure will influence the ability to attain that goal.

Ec98-757 Farm*A*Syst Nebraska’S System For Assessing Water Contamination Risk Fact Sheet 11: Improving Land Application Of Manure, Robert Grisso, Delynn Hay, Paul J. Jasa, Richard K. Koelsch, Sharon Skipton, Wayne Woldt

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension: Historical Materials

Resource or waste? Stewardship of soil and water resources should be a goal of every livestock producer. Management decisions made relative to land application of livestock manure will influence the ability to attain that goal. An evaluation of your land application practices should focus on the following question: Is manure a waste or are source?