Nebraska Administrative Code
Topic - ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
Title 117 - NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
Chapter 4 - STANDARDS FOR WATER QUALITY
Section 117-4-001

It is the public policy of the State of Nebraska to protect and improve the quality of surface water for human consumption, wildlife, fish and other aquatic life, industry, recreation, and other productive, beneficial uses.

Beneficial uses are assigned to surface waters within or bordering upon the State of Nebraska (Chapters 5 and 6). Assigned and existing beneficial uses are protected by the Antidegradation Clause (Chapter 3) and the narrative and numerical water quality criteria in this chapter. Beneficial uses are also protected by permits issued in accordance with the requirements of these standards, and through Department requirements for the applicable level of treatment or control for point and nonpoint sources of pollution. Some uses require higher quality water than others. When multiple uses are assigned to the same waters, all assigned uses will be protected.

The beneficial uses defined by these standards are:

Primary Contact Recreation

Aquatic Life

Coldwater (Class A and B)

Warmwater (Class A and B)

Water Supply

Public Drinking Water

Agricultural

Industrial

Aesthetics

These uses are not intended in any way to conflict with the quantitative beneficial uses provided for in Neb. Rev. Stat., Ch. 46, regulating irrigation or the authority of the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources.