Omaha CSO
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Program Spotlights & Video Gallery
CSO Program Milestone Achievements with More to Come
The City of Omaha's regional sewer system serves customers in Douglas and Sarpy Counties. Omaha is one of more than 800 communities nationwide that have combined sewer systems. Some systems, including Omaha's, have combined sewer overflows (CSOs) that must be reduced to improve water quality in local rivers and streams.
Program SPOTlights
- CSO Program Milestones Achievements with More to Come – August 2023
- Separating Stream Flows from Combined Sewer Provides System Relief – May 2023
- CSO Perspectives: Managing Risk – All Projects Have Risk – Nov. 2022
- Burt-Izard Lift Station Provides Critical Support to System-Wide Operations – Aug. 2022
- Sewer Collection System Model – May 2022
- CSO LTCP Update Approved with Efficiencies, New Path Forward – Nov. 2021
- Updated Public Website Streamlines CSO Program Information – Aug. 2021
- Long Term Control Plan Updates Lead to Improved Efficiency for Omaha's CSO Program – May 2021
- CSO Program Makes Significant Improvements to Water Quality, Infrastructure – Feb. 2021
- Model Indicates Missouri River Water Quality – Nov. 2020
- SEB Spotlight: Contour Construction – Nov. 2020
- CSO Program Adapts to COVID-19 Impacts – Aug. 2020
- MRWRRF Operationally Complete – May 2020
- Collector Tunnel System Geotechnical Borings; Partnership with University of Nebraska-Lincoln Benefits CSO Program – Apr. 2020
- Runoff Restoration: A local park was restored in Nebraska to aid in reducing the overflow of raw sewage – Storm Water Solutions Magazine, Feb. 2020
- Optimization Task to Set Future Course for Program – Nov. 2019
- 2019 Flood Impacts on CSO Program Efforts – Aug. 2019
- Omaha’s Sewer Rate Increases are Lower than Projected – Aug. 2019
- South Interceptor Force Main Project Construction – May 2019
- Saddle Creek Retention Treatment Basin Project Benefits from Re-Engineering Benefits – Feb. 2019
- RNC Program Compliments CSO Program Efforts – Nov. 2018
- CSO Consent Order Amended – Aug. 2018
- Green Infrastructure Benefits Omaha’s CSO Program – May 2018
- South Interceptor Force Main Project: North Segment Construction – Feb. 2018
- Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Improvements – Nov. 2017
- Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Approves Long Term Control Plan Modifications – Aug. 2017
- Fontenelle Park Project – May 2017
- Focus on Safety – Feb. 2017
- Spring Lake Park Project – Nov. 2016
- Adams Park Wetlands Improvement Project – Aug. 2016
- New Municipal Headworks for the Missouri River WWTP Improvements–Schedule B1 Project – June 2016
- Change, Growth On the Horizon – Lauritzen Gardens Newsletter, Fall/Winter 2012
Video Gallery
Adams Park: Construction Time Lapse
This video illustrates construction at the John Creighton Boulevard & Miami / Adams Park Project from September 2014 to June 2016.
Background on the SEB Program
One goal for the CSO Program was to encourage contracting with small and emerging small businesses (SEBs), outreach to youth and to provide opportunities to build a strong workforce.
Beaver Dam
Omaha uses other green infrastructure to reduce stress on its storm sewers, including a structure resembling a beaver dam, which collects water during heavy rain events.
Contractors' Project Update
Blake Street Lift Station Improvements (OPW 53270) – Jan. 2021
Contractors' Project Update
Nicholas Street Sewer Extension, Phase 3B (OPW 53753) – Jan. 2021
Contractors' Project Update
Papillion Creek North (PCN) 210 Sewer Separation (OPW 53320) – Oct. 2020
Contractors' Project Update
Monroe Street Lift Station Improvements (OPW 53082) – May 2021
CONTRACTORS' PROJECT UPDATE
CSO 204 Phase 4a – 57th Street & Pratt Street; and Phase 4b – 56th Street & Bedford Avenue (OPW 53820) – August 2021
CONTRACTORS' PROJECT UPDATE
Forest Lawn Creek Inflow Removal and Outfall Storm Sewer Project (OPW52470) – Jan. 2022
Contractors' Project Update
CSO 212 64th Avenue and William Street Sewer Separation Project (OPW 51685) – Oct. 2022
CSO Facilities
This video explains the steps of combined sewage treatment at the Missouri River Water Resource Recovery Facility and how other area facilities work to improve the water quality of our river and streams.
CSO Projects Funded by NET, Part 1
Despite being a mandated program, CSO projects explored numerous methods to create rain gardens, bioswales and other solutions to improve how wastewater is handled.
CSO Projects Funded by NET, Part 2
By implementing various ecological solutions, Omaha can keep stormwater in more natural ecosystems rather than forcing it into wastewater treatment plants.
Engaging EEIP
CSO works to encourage small businesses, to create opportunities within CSO projects and to educate youth through its Economic Inclusion Plan.
Fontenelle Park Construction
Drone footage courtesy of Black & Veatch – Aug. 2017
Fontenelle Park Construction
Drone footage courtesy of Black & Veatch – Apr. 2017
Fontenelle Park Post Construction
Drone footage courtesy of Black & Veatch – Nov. 2019
Getting SEBs Involved
CSO reaches out to small and emerging small businesses (SEBs) and contractors through informational events before bids go out and connects them to resources designed to help them bid better in order to grow their businesses.
Green Infrastructure
This two-minute animation, suggested for kids 10 and older, explains what green infrastructure is, where it can be seen in our community, and how it contributes to the CSO Program's goal of reducing bacteria in our rivers and streams.
How Much Has Already Been Done
Accounting for all completed projects, as well as projects actively underway, it is estimated that, when completed, the Program will capture 80% of combined sewage overflow to the Missouri River watershed.
How Omaha Pays
Projects are financed through the sale of 30-year bonds, as needed. The bonds are repaid through sewer usage fees from residents, businesses and wholesale users.
How the REACH Program Works
CSO does outreach events with the REACH program through the Chamber of Commerce, which aligns projects with work opportunities in the community.
Infraestructura verde
Esta animación de dos minutos, sugerida para niños mayores de 10 años, explica qué es la infraestructura verde, dónde se puede ver en nuestra comunidad y cómo contribuye a la OSC. El objetivo del programa es reducir las bacterias en nuestros ríos y arroyos.
INSTALACIONES DE CSO
Este video explica los pasos del tratamiento de aguas residuales combinadas en la Instalación de Recuperación de Recursos Hídricos del Río Missouri y cómo otras instalaciones del área funcionan para mejorar la calidad del agua de nuestro río y arroyos.
Jim Theiler, Assistant Public Works Director, Environmental Services Talks About the CSO Program
Omaha Compared to Other Cities
Omaha is one of the largest cities with a combined sewer system, producing eight billion gallons a year of combined sewage that must be processed at a program cost of $2 billion.
Outreach: World O' Water
By promoting education about stormwater and its impact on communities, people can better understand the need for green infrastructure and why they are worth the investment long-term.
Overview of CSO
Omaha’s older sewer system east of 72nd street combines wastewater from homes with rain from weather events, meaning that in overflow, sewage leads to Omaha’s watersheds, causing pollution.
Program Overview
Clean Solutions for Omaha works to make our rivers and streams cleaner and safer for everyone in Omaha. Check out this video to learn more about our goals and the impact of our projects in the community.
Project Update
Cole Creek CSO 204 Area – Phase 3 Combined Sewer Separation (Taylor to Ruggles Between 56th & 61st) – Feb. 2021
Project Update
CSO 202 Phase 2 – 70th Avenue & Spencer Street Project – Feb. 2021
Project Update
Nicholas Street Sewer Extension, Phase 3A and 3B – Jan. 2021
Project Update
Cole Creek CSO 203 Sewer Separation Project
Project Update
Papillion Creek North (PCN) 210 Sewer Separation Project
Project Update
CSO 202 Phase 2 Sewer Separation Project – 70th Avenue & Spencer Street Project – Feb. 2022
PROJECT UPDATE
CSO 212 Sewer Separation Project – 60% Design Public Meeting
PROJECT UPDATE
East Cole Creek Interceptor Rehabilitation Project – Conceptual Design Virtual Public Meeting – Nov. 2022
Project Update
Nicholas Street Sewer Extension, Phase 3A and 3B – March 2023
Project Update
CSO 204 Phase 4 – Design Public Meeting – March 2023
Project Update
Forest Lawn Creek Inflow Removal and Outfall Storm Sewer Project – Pre-Construction Public Meeting – Feb. 2023
Project Update
Nicholas Street Sewer Extension, Phase 3A and 3B – March 2024
Reseña del programa
Esta animación de dos minutos, sugerida para niños de 10 años en adelante, ofrece una descripción general del Programa CSO, lo que sucede cuando llueve y lo que está haciendo la Ciudad para evitar que las bacterias entren en nuestros ríos y arroyos.
SCRTB: Construction Time Lapse
This video illustrates construction progress at the Saddle Creek Retention Treatment Basin Project.
SCRTB: Flyover Rendering
SCRTB: Overview Video
SCRTB: Virtual Walk-Thru
Separación de alcantarillado
Esta animación de tres minutos, sugerida para niños mayores de 10 años, explica la historia del sistema de alcantarillado de Omaha, lo que sucede cuando está sobrecargado por el clima húmedo y ¡cómo los proyectos de separación de alcantarillado contribuyen al CSO El objetivo del programa de reducir las bacterias en nuestro río y arroyos.
Sewer Separation
This three-minute animation, suggested for kids 10 and older, explains the history of Omaha’s sewer system, what happens when it is overloaded by wet weather, and how sewer separation projects contribute to the CSO Program’s goal of reducing bacteria in our river and streams.
Spring Lake Park
Spring Lake Park, an area once blighted with pollution, became a clean, usable space that matches stormwater retention with public value.
Spring Lake Park: Bringing the Plan to CSO
By creating a dialogue with the neighborhood, the CSO project was designed to suit both the ecological needs of a stormwater retention pond as well as the needs of the community to restore an amenity.
Spring Lake Park: Drone Video
Aug. 2017
Spring Lake Park: Green Infrastructure
CSO has become a best practice for forward-thinking national change by researching and implementing green infrastructure as part of the community’s solution for improving water quality.
Spring Lake Park: Implementing the Plan
CSO worked with the University of Nebraska - Lincoln’s water resource center to plan solutions for how to keep water clean and design the space.
Spring Lake Park: Inspiring Other Cities
This project serves as a strong example for Omaha and beyond of how cities and people can work together to inspire change in their communities.
Spring Lake Park: Planning Before CSO
Thanks to strong neighborhood involvement before the fact, the timing was perfect for CSO and the community to come together on this project.
Spring Lake Park: The Finished Project
After a picturesque reveal at the project’s news conference with the mayor, the diversity of plants and wildlife present added to the project’s success to create a clean, properly functioning green solution in the park.
Using Local Contractors
Besides the emphasis on working with small businesses, CSO has awarded 80% of contracts to local contractors, which strengthens Omaha’s local economy.
What is a BioRetention Garden?
What is a CSO?
What is an RTB?
Working with Regulators
Omaha maintains a positive relationship with regulators which allows the city to have some flexibility to manage changes in the project.
