Farmer Jason Othmer harvests corn near Vesta, an unincorporated community in Johnson County on Oct. 18. Othmer and many Nebraska farmers voluntarily take steps to use less fertilizer than farmers of previous eras did. But that hasn’t been enough, experts say – the median amount of nitrate levels in Nebraska water has doubled in the past 45 years, and is expected to continue to climb.
Ryan Soderlin, Flatwater Free Press
Marty Stange, Hastings environmental director, keeps an close eye on the city’s water’s nitrate level. The city’s water treatment facility uses a reverse osmosis system to lower nitrate in the water it supplies to the residents.
Jazari Kual, Flatwater Free Press
Farmer Jason Othmer operates a combine as he harvests corn near Vesta in Johnson County. Othmer says he uses less than the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer and plants cover crops, which suck up nitrate in the soil so it won’t leach into drinking water. But he does something that can increase the risk of nitrates leaching: He typically applies anhydrous ammonia in the fall, which he says “gets the bang for the buck.”
Farmer Jason Othmer harvests corn near Vesta, an unincorporated community in Johnson County on Oct. 18. Othmer and many Nebraska farmers voluntarily take steps to use less fertilizer than farmers of previous eras did. But that hasn’t been enough, experts say – the median amount of nitrate levels in Nebraska water has doubled in the past 45 years, and is expected to continue to climb.
Marty Stange, Hastings environmental director, keeps an close eye on the city’s water’s nitrate level. The city’s water treatment facility uses a reverse osmosis system to lower nitrate in the water it supplies to the residents.
Farmer Jason Othmer operates a combine as he harvests corn near Vesta in Johnson County. Othmer says he uses less than the recommended amount of nitrogen fertilizer and plants cover crops, which suck up nitrate in the soil so it won’t leach into drinking water. But he does something that can increase the risk of nitrates leaching: He typically applies anhydrous ammonia in the fall, which he says “gets the bang for the buck.”
