Flow meters required for all wells designed to pump more than 50 gallons per minute
/At its April 27, 2017 monthly meeting, the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors held a public hearing to consider amending its rules to require flow meters on public water supply, commercial, industrial and livestock wells designed to pump more than 50 gallons per minute. The Board approved these changes, which become effective on May 26, 2017. The amended rules require flow meters to be installed on these wells by January 1, 2019.
LENRD Water Resources Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, "The high-capacity wells in the district join irrigation wells in the requirement to have flow meters installed. Irrigation wells must have flow meters installed by January 1, 2018."
Mike Sousek, LENRD General Manager, said, "Thursday's decision makes the groundwater management rules more equitable across the district. The board made the decision that instead of focusing everything on agriculture, we need to look at all the stakeholders. If your well pumps more than 50 gallons per minute, you will need a meter installed."
Sousek added, "We're going to start working with the communities in our district, explaining the next steps. This will be a benefit to them in the long run. When a drought hits, especially a multi-year drought, it affects everyone."