October 29, 2026 at 9:00 AM - Water Committee Meeting
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1. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
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2. REGULATORY
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2.A. GROUND WATER MANAGEMENT AREA
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2.A.1. Special Quantity Subareas
Rationale:
An invoice is attached for $3,897.75 per contract from Spheros for the SQS Groundwater Model.
Last winter, staff, committee and producers discussed options for SQS #2 (Platte-Colfax Water Quantity) area. Attached are the options discussed for this area. If changes are to be considered by the Groundwater Rules and Regulations, there is a December 15th deadline. Things to discuss are
Committee Discussion: The committee feels that it is best to wait for the model from Spheros and the new AI model that is being proposed before making decisions on the SQS2 boundary. The committee would like to have more data in order to make the most informed decision possible.
Discussion:
The committee feels that it is best to wait for the model from Spheros and the new AI model that is being proposed before making decisions on the SQS2 boundary. The committee would like to have more data in order to make the most informed decision possible.
Attachments:
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2.A.2. Cost Share Programs
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2.A.2.a. Flow Meter Maintenance Program
Rationale:
Staff met with Tri-City Meter to plan for the 2027 maintenance season. Staff provided a list of meters that will need serviced in 2027. Tri-City Meter provided information on battery replacements, including different battery options. Staff feel that it is best to continue using OEM batteries when they need to be replaced, even if they're more expensive, due to their fuse protection and for protecting factory warranties.
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2.A.2.b. NET Grant
Rationale:
The NET grant that was submitted was deemed eligible for scoring, and was scored on Oct. 21, 2026. It will be advanced to the NET board on Nov. 5, 2026 for the selection process.
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2.A.2.c. OneRed
Rationale:
Staff went through training for the new OneRed program on October 22nd. There will be another training session held in November.
Pre-enrollment is now open, and enrollees will be contacted in November/December to become eligible for the grant voucher. There has been a lot of interest in the program, and we have had a number of pre-enrollments. |
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2.A.3. Bellwood Phase 2 Area
Rationale:
2026 is the twenty-second year for this Phase 2 Area.
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2.A.4. Richland - Schuyler Phase 3 Area
Rationale:
2025 is the tenth year of this Phase 3 Area. This Phase 3 area went into effect September 1, 2015. The 55 sections of this area first went into a Phase 2 Area in 2004. The ten sections that were in Phase 2 are now in Phase 3. As such, the 2020, 2021 and 2022 numbers (at bottom of table) are for 65 sections.
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2.A.5. LPNNRD Operator Certification
Rationale:
Staff met with Nebraska Extension personnel to plan the 2027 Nitrogen Certification Training sessions. Nebraska Extension will work on a presentation and educational material for the trainings. The trainings are planned for the following dates, times, and locations:
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2.A.6. Lower Platte River Basin Water Management Plan Coalition (LPRBC)
Rationale:
The coalition is planning a technical committee meeting in December. Staff will attend the meeting.
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2.B. GROUND WATER ENERGY LEVELS
Rationale:
Staff is conducting fall water level measurements throughout the district. Staff also conducted the Wann Basin sampling day on October 27, 2026 with other partners.
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2.C. GROUND WATER QUALITY SAMPLING
Rationale:
Attachments:
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3. GROUND WATER PROGRAMS
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3.A. DECOMMISSIONED WELL PROGRAM
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3.A.1. Well Estimates
Rationale:
# new wells has been reviewed and approved for decommissioning since the last Committee meeting.
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3.A.2. Plugged Wells
Rationale:
3 wells have been plugged, reviewed, and ready for cost share payment approval this month.
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3.B. LOWER PLATTE NORTH NRD GROUND WATER STUDIES
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3.B.1. Phase Area Update
Rationale:
With the approved WSF grant scope change, staff has received quotes for vadose zone sampling equipment from several manufacturers. Information on this equipment, along with pricing, is outlined below for review:
Staff also looked at one other option for mud rotary bit drilling, which would be a better option for monitoring well installation:
Staff recommends considering the AMS 9120-RAP due to its price, inclusion of tooling needed for direct-push vadose sampling, manufacturing in the USA for reliability and availability of servicing options, and the ability to install it in a UTV for ease of field transportation. Committee Discussion: The committee would like more information from the manufacturers, but would like to pursue equipment that could do both vadose zone sampling and well drilling for shallow monitoring wells. The committee asked staff to get additional information on drilling depths, price, tooling, delivery, payment terms, and possible government pricing. They would like also like to look at the used market. |
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3.B.2. AI Model
Rationale:
Staff has prepared a comprehensive request for proposals (RFP). It is prepared to be published in either December or January, depending on the timing of the board of director's retreat. This will allow the interviews to be scheduled around the same time. Staff is seeking feedback on whether to publish on 12/15/2026 and conduct interviews on 2/18/2027, or publish 1/4/2027 and conduct interviews on 3/18/2027.
Committee Discussion: The committee feels that the earlier date would be better, as the March date could interfere with spring farming activities. |
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4. SURFACE WATER PROGRAMS
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4.A. STATE LAKES, FOR THE WEEK OF
Rationale:
Beach Watch sampling season has ended.
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5. OTHER
Rationale:
We have received the bill from Dvorak Well in the amount of $86,350 for drilling the monitoring wells in Newman Grove which came in under contract.
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5.A. Rules and Regulations Updates
Rationale:
Staff proposes doing a water committee retreat to review rules and regulations on 2/17/2027 or 3/17/2027, and would like feedback from committee members on which date would be best.
A selection of proposed changes for rules and regulations for groundwater quantity are attached for review and discussion. Committee Discussion: The committee would like to continue to simplify the wording by removing extraneous words, such as "the".
Attachments:
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