Omaha Tribe of Nebraska’s water treatment system working to build new treatment plant

WALTHILL, Nebraska (KTIV) - Work continues on a multi-million-dollar addition to the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska’s water treatment system.

To mark “World Water Week”, the Indian Health Service hosted an event to show off the progress on the new water treatment plant in Walthill, Nebraska.

Tribal officials broke ground on the project last spring following five years’ worth of planning and preparations.

The project includes a new water treatment plant, and a 300-thousand-gallon clear well, which was funded by the Indian Health Finance and Environmental Protection Agency.

“This is about $8.5 million project. $6.4 million coming from Indian Health Service and another $2 million came from EPA Region 7,” said Omaha Tribal Utility Director Jerry Henscheid.

Once completed, the project will improve the tribe’s ability to operate and maintain its drinking water system and filter more things out of the water provided to the tribe.

So, the biggest factor in the new treatment plant is a filter. So, we’re having two new filters installed. It will get rid of radium 228, iron and manganese. The filter system is the primary reason for the new plant.

Officials hope to have the project done by December 2025.