Legislative committee hears arguments over nitrate levels in Nebraskas water [Video]

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) – Nebraska lawmakers heard testimony on a pressing environmental issue on Thursday: the safety of the state’s drinking water.

UNMC researchers have said that Nebraska has high pediatric cancer rates — among the five highest in the nation. Some experts suspect it’s a result of elevated nitrate levels in the water; nitrates mostly coming from fertilizer and animal waste.

Wednesday’s hearing focused on whether or not the legislature should try to beef up how the state monitors groundwater wells, and who gets that information.

The bill, Nebraska LB1258, aims to further identify and reduce nitrate contamination in groundwater near concentrated animal feeding operations.

Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh introduced the bill.

“It would hopefully strengthen the department’s ability to enforce the law and their own regulations,” Cavanaugh said.

Several people testified in support of adding more testing with monitoring wells and reporting requirements to state regulators. Jess Lammers told the Nebraska Legislature’s …