Laserfiche WebLink
<br />CHAPTER 6. WATER QUALITY CONTROL <br /> <br />Introduction <br /> <br />The Water Pollution Control CouncIl, presently a part of the <br />Nebraska Department of Health but whose duties wi II be assumed by the <br />Environmental Control Councl I formed by the 1971 Legislature, is <br />responsible for the protection, maintenance and improvement of the <br />quality of raw public water supplies, the proper treatment of wastes <br />before discharge Into state waters and watercourses, and the abatement <br />and regulation of existing and new sources of pollution. The Counci I <br />adopted and published Water Quality Standards applicable to Nebraska <br />waters In January, 1969. These Include a statement of policy, a classi- <br />fication of waters, a definition of water quality criteria, a nondegra- <br />dation statement, and a plan for the Implementation and enforcement of <br />water quality standards. <br /> <br />The general policy of the Water Pollution Control Counci I Is to <br />protect and enhance the receiving waters for designated uses (according <br />to the classification of the waters) by preventing the degradation of <br />water qual ity beyond the limits prescribed in the water quality crIteria <br />contained In the Standards. Where the existing quality Is better than <br />the criteria, it Is the Intent of the Councl I to maintain the existing <br />high quality commensurate with present and future water uses. <br /> <br />The Water Quality Standards applicable to Nebraska waters contain <br />the following general water quality criteria: <br /> <br />"A II surface waters sha II meet genera I aesthet i c stan- <br />dards and shall be capable of supporting desirable diversI- <br />fied aquatic life. These waters shall be free of substances <br />attributable to discharges or wastes having materials that <br />will form objectionable deposits, floating debris, oil scum <br />and other matter producing objectionable color, odor, taste <br />or turbldlty--materials Including radlonuclides, in concen- <br />tration or combinations which are toxic or which produce <br />undesirable physiological responses in human, fish or other <br />animal life or plants and substances and conditions or com- <br />binations thereof In concentrations which produce undesirable <br />aquatic life. <br /> <br />"Facilities for expediting mixing and dispersing all <br />waste water Into receiving waters shall be provided when <br />deemed necessary by the Nebraska Water Pollution Control <br />Council to maintain the quality of the receiving waters In <br />accordance with app II cab I e water qua II ty cr Iter i a. 11 <br /> <br />51 <br />