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.

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Program SPOTlights

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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.