Omaha CSO

Burt-Izard Lift Station Provides Critical Support to System-Wide Operations

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 CSO?

Working with Regulators

Omaha maintains a positive relationship with regulators which allows the city to have some flexibility to manage changes in the project.