The
Little Blue NRD’s philosophy regarding groundwater problems is that prevention is less costly than correction. Therefore, the district has
adopted programs that emphasize proactive protection of groundwater, rather
than a reactive, corrective approach. Since the early 90’s, the district has
been monitoring nitrate levels across the district. In certain areas of
the district, nitrate levels have already exceeded the health standard of
10 parts per million and in other areas contamination seems to be on the
rise.
The
entire District was declared a Water Quality Level I Management Area on July
1, 1996,
which emphasizes education on water and fertilizer
management.
When sampling results show 70% of MCL has been reached for any sampled
water constituent in 60% or more of at least 5 sampled wells within an area,
the NRD board will take actions to further identify the problem area,
establish sub-area boundaries and determine the controls to be implemented.
The purpose of establishing a sub-area is to focus management efforts and
education in an attempt to halt and/or reverse contaminant trends. A
sub-area for Quality controls is defined as an area containing at least five
sampled wells within the LBNRD’s well sampling program around which a
logical boundary can be drawn. The minimum size of a sub-area shall be
sixteen (16) square miles. The LBNRD currently has five sub-areas
within its boundary. Click on a sub-area below to view the rules and
regulations for that area.
