Concentrations of groundwater contaminants tend to diminish with increasing distance from the source. However, the actual configuration of a contaminated water zone and the contaminant concentrations are influenced over time by many factors and cannot be easily predicted. Surface Water Rainfall runoff from the central area of the city discharges into the South Platte River at many points. The city's sewage treatment plant is at the east edge of town. Treated wastewater is released to the river, which flows eastward and joins the Missouri River near Omaha.
Some communities obtain their public water needs from wells located along the river.
D. Health Outcome Data Health Outcome Data bases evaluated for this report include the vital statistics report and the cancer incidence and mortality report. The Nebraska Department of Health, Division of Health Data Systems published the 1989 Vital Statistics Report in 1991. The report contains records of births and deaths in the state of Nebraska according to county. Discussion of these data are presented in the Health Outcome Data Evaluation section of this document. Neither of the two persons who came to the meetings had health concerns.