Pits Used for Irrigation Must Be Registered as Groundwater Wells Due to New Law
July 10, 2007
When LB 701 became law on May 2, 2007, it included a requirement that all pits that intercept groundwater and which are used for purposes of irrigation must be registered with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources as a groundwater well. The new law requires registration of existing irrigation pits within 180 days after May 2, 2007.
Groundwater pits that must be registered as groundwater wells include any excavation made for any purpose if groundwater flows into the excavation under natural pressure and a pump or other device is placed in the excavation for the purpose of withdrawing water for irrigation.
Reuse pits that receive water off the overlying land and do not intercept the groundwater table are not required to be registered as wells. Anyone having questions about whether their pit is subject to registration should contact the Lower Platte North Natural Resources District office in Wahoo at (402) 443-4675.
The owner of the groundwater pit is responsible for registering such pit with the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources. Forms for registration are available in the Department’s offices or at their website at dnr.ne.gov.
Owners of groundwater pits within the Lower Platte North NRD must contact the NRD prior to registration of the pit as a groundwater well with the Department of Natural Resources. The NRD staff must sign the registration form or submit a Water Well Registration Natural Resources District Approval form to show that such pit and the irrigation from the pit is in accordance with rules and regulations of the NRD. This certification is required prior to registration of the pit as a groundwater well in the Department.