Water Safety

Three Rivers District Health Department recognizes three main water sources that are an important part of our physical environment. These include potable water (drinking water), recreational water (pools, lakes, rivers, etc.), and ground water. It's essential to keep our water clean and contaminant free for our community's safety. Many diseases and illnesses can arise from unsafe water conditions. To learn more about each of these water sources please click on the links below.

Drinking Water

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) is the main federal law that ensures the quality of Americans' drinking water. Under SDWA, EPA sets standards for drinking water quality and oversees the states, localities, and water suppliers who implement those standards. Three Rivers District Health Department provides free water test kits for well owners. The samples can be analyzed for coliform, nitrates, hardness, fluoride, and pH levels. To learn more about your drinking water click on the links below.

Recreational Water

Throughout the year, swimming and other water-related activities are excellent ways to get the physical activity needed for a healthy lifestyle. Our community enjoys lakes, rivers, pools, and spas each year. However, it is important to be aware of ways to prevent water-related adverse health events, such as sunburn and other injuries, drowning, and recreational water illnesses (RWIs). Please review the links below to learn how to best protect your family.

Ground Water

The term groundwater refers to all water which is below the surface of the ground and which is in direct contact with the ground or subsoil. Thanks to the effect of groundwater flow, many of the impurities from the water are removed because the water is filtered through rock. Therefore in general, groundwater is generally much cleaner than surface water. This makes groundwater a very cheap source of 'raw water' for public supply. Many communities in Nebraska obtain their drinking water from groundwater. Water suppliers drill wells through soil and rock into aquifers to reach the ground and supply the public with drinking water. Many homes also have their own private wells drilled on their property to tap this supply. Farmers also utilize groundwater to irrigate the crops. Unfortunately, the ground water can become contaminated by human activity. These chemicals can enter the soil and rock, polluting the aquifer and eventually the well. It is extremely important to protect our groundwater. To learn more about groundwater and how to protect it please click on the links below.
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