Waters of the United States

Nebraska Students Contribute To Science By Learning To Spot Unsafe Drinking Water

By Christina Stella • Feb 12, 2020
Christina Stella / Harvest Public Media

The more than 13 million American households that get their drinking water from private wells aren’t required by state or federal environmental agencies to test their water, sometimes leaving dangerous contamination unchecked for years. Now high school students and other community members are learning to test their own water. 

EPA Makes Rollback Of Clean Water Rules Official, Repealing 2015 Protections

By • Sep 12, 2019

The Trump administration is changing the definition of what qualifies as "waters of the United States," tossing out an Obama-era regulation that had enhanced protections for wetlands and smaller waterways.

Thursday's rollback is the first step in a process that will allow the Trump administration to create its own definition of which waters deserve federal protection. A new rule is expected to be finalized this winter.

EPA Looking To Roll Back Many Of Obama's U.S. Waterway Protections

By • Dec 11, 2018
Brazile Creek flows through the town of Creighton, Nebraska, including through the golf course pictured above.
Ariana Brocious / Harvest Public Media file photo

The Environmental Protection Agency is looking to remove thousands of acres of wetlands and miles of waterways from Clean Water Act protections.

The EPA said Tuesday it believes the proposed changes to the “Waters of the United States” rule will reduce inefficiencies and allow landowners to have the freedom they need over their property.