Nitrate levels in Nebraska’s groundwater are on the rise

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Known as the breadbasket of the world, the fertile soils of Nebraska and other Midwest states feed millions of Americans. 

But growing crops here often requires fertilizers, which often end up in our water. 

For more than 40 years, levels of nitrates in Nebraska’s groundwater have been increasing, according to the Nebraska Water Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

“In Nebraska, most of it moves to our groundwater,” said Crystal Powers of the water center. “Since about 85% of the state gets their drinking water from groundwater in Nebraska, that’s how it ends up being an issue.”

Research by the University of Nebraska Medical Center has suggested a link between high nitrate levels and diseases like pediatric cancer. Nebraska has the seventh-highest pediatric cancer rate in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“It’s been strongly linked to several cancers, including pediatric cancers, as well as birth defects and thyroid issues throughout our lives,” Powers said.  

Currently, 26% to 35% of nitrogen applied to corn is lost to the environment in Nebraska.

The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level for public water supplies is 10 parts per million.  

The UNL Nitrate Project says several townships in Nebraska are now above 20 parts per million. 

The project has members from the University of Nebraska Extension, the water center and Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute.

They say about three-fourths of the state’s population lives in an area with elevated and potentially unsafe nitrate levels.

Most cities, including Lincoln, treat their water for things like nitrates before it gets to the people.

Powers said the problem mostly affects people using private wells, so she encourages them to test wells yearly.

Powers said farmers can also learn to be more efficient with the use of fertilizers.