Nebraska Criteria Development Progress
This page provides information about the progress Nebraska has made towards the development of numeric criteria and shows what statewide and site-specific criteria are currently in effect.
Note: The information on the tabs below reflects the information available on EPA’s
Water Quality Standards Repository. The criteria presented here will be updated as new water quality standards documents are posted to the Repository.
Numeric Criteria Development
The information presented below gives a summary of state progress towards the development of numeric criteria. The information comes from EPA’s “State Adoption of Numeric Nutrient Standards (1998-2008)” report, current water quality standards, program activity measures, and nutrient criteria development plans. Links to the Nebraska’s Nutrient Criteria Plan and state water quality standards are also provided.
Existing Numeric Criteria
| Waterbody Type | N | P | Chl-a | Clarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lakes & Reservoirs | ||||
| Rivers & Streams | ||||
| Estuaries | N ⁄ A | N ⁄ A | N ⁄ A | N ⁄ A |
| Wetlands |
S = Statewide W = For selected waterbody N ⁄ A=Not Applicable
Note: See Statewide Criteria and Site-specific Criteria tabs for more information.
Links to Numeric Nutrient Criteria Plan and Existing Nutrient Criteria
Plan:
WQS: Nebraska Water Quality Standards
Nebraska DEQ: Title 117 - Nebraska Surface Water Quality Standards Exit
Milestone Information
Milestone information updated July 2012.
Milestone |
Rivers and Streams | Lakes and Reservoirs | Estuaries and Coastal Waters | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TN | TP | TN | TP | TN | TP | |
| Planning for criteria development | No date provided | No date provided | Complete | Complete | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Collection of information and data | No date provided | No date provided | Complete | Complete | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Analysis of information and data | No date provided | No date provided | Complete | Complete | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Proposal of criteria | No date provided | No date provided | Complete (except Natural Sandhill Lakes) | Complete (except Natural Sandhill Lakes) | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Adoption of criteria (EPA-Approved) | No date provided | No date provided | Complete (except Natural Sandhill Lakes) | Complete (except Natural Sandhill Lakes) | Not applicable | Not applicable |
TN: Total Nitrogen; TP: Total Phosphorus
Statewide Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved nutrient criteria for Nebraska’s waterbodies. The language presented below comes directly from state water quality standards and applies to all waterbodies within the state (unless a waterbody type or designated use is noted). Criteria applicable to specific waterbodies within the state can be found on the “Site-specific Criteria” tab. For more information, refer to the Nebraska water quality standards.
The following information reflects Nebraska’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved August 2003).
004 Water Supply.
004.01 Public Drinking Water.
These are surface waters which serve as a public drinking water supply. These waters must be treated (e.g., coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, chlorination) before the water is suitable for human consumption. After treatment, these waters are suitable for drinking water, food processing, and similar uses.004.01A General Criteria.
Wastes or toxic substances introduced directly or indirectly by human activity in concentrations that would degrade the use (i.e., would produce undesirable physiological effects in humans) shall not be allowed.004.01B Numerical Criteria.
Numerical criteria for the parameters listed below shall not be exceeded. Any substance introduced directly or indirectly by human activity shall not be allowed to enter surface water if one or more of the following numerical standards would be exceeded. The numerical standards listed below are intended to protect beneficial use of public drinking water supply. If the natural background level of a parameter is greater than the numerical standard, this shall not in and of itself prohibit the use of the surface water. If the natural background level of a parameter is greater than the numerical standard listed below, the background level shall be used in place of the numerical criteria.
Pollutant Numerical Limit Inorganics: Nitrate-nitrogen 10 mg/L Nitrite-nitrogen 1 mg/L
004.02 Agricultural.
004.02A General Criteria.
Wastes or toxic substances introduced directly or indirectly by human activity in concentrations that would degrade the use (i.e., would produce undesirable physiological effects in crops or livestock) shall not be allowed.004.02B Class A - Agricultural.
These are waters used for general agricultural purposes (e.g., irrigation and livestock watering) without treatment.004.02B2 Nitrate and Nitrite as Nitrogen.
Not to exceed 100 mg/L.
005 Aesthetics.
This use applies to all surface waters of the state. To be aesthetically acceptable, waters shall be free from human-induced pollution which causes: 1) noxious odors; 2) floating, suspended, colloidal, or settleable materials that produce objectionable films, colors, turbidity, or deposits; and 3) the occurrence of undesirable or nuisance aquatic life (e.g., algal blooms). Surface waters shall also be free of junk, refuse, and discarded dead animals.
Site-specific Criteria
The information on this tab shows EPA-approved site-specific nutrient criteria for Nebraska’s waterbodies. Criteria on this page apply only to the waterbodies listed below. Criteria applicable to all waterbodies within the state are found on the “Statewide Criteria” tab. For more information, refer to the Nebraska water quality standards.
The following information reflects Nebraska’s water quality standards posted to the Water Quality Standards Repository as of November 2010 (EPA-approved August 2003).
None.