News Flash

Wayne, Nebraska - In January, 2011, the City moved forward with the establishment of the Wayne Source Water Protection Project with grant funding from the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) Source Water Protection Program. The overall intent of the Wayne Source Water Protection Project is to update the Wellhead Protection Plan. This effort will layout a roadmap for pollution prevention actions over the next five to ten years including encouragement of source water friendly land uses. The City has partnered with the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resource District, JEO Consulting Group, Inc., NDEQ, and Univesrity of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension to implement project activities.

The project's key components includes: update the existing wellhead protection plan and submit for NDEQ approval, decommission abandoned wells in and around the wellhead protection areas (WHPAs), incentives for property owners to enroll with Lower Elkhorn NRD deep soil sampling cost-share, and facilitation of education efforts.

The City, with assistance from JEO Consulting Group, and UNL Extension, will conduct an educational workshop to educate all age ranges of the public and provide an opportunity for the public to offer input into the wellhead protection planning effort. The workshop will be held on Thursday, June 2nd, 2011 at 7:00 PM - Wayne Fire Hall Meeting Room at 510 Tomar Drive in Wayne, NE.

The workshop, led by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, will focus on Wayne's drinking water supply. Water quality, the wellhead area, best management practices, and system security will also be covered.

For more information on the Wayne Source Water Protection Project, contact Adam Rupe, JEO, at 402.435.3080 or byemail. For more information on incentives for deep soil sampling and well abandonment, contact Garry Poutre, Superintendent of Public Works and Utilities at 402.375.1733 or by email.