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
- CSO Program Milestones Achievements with More to Come (PDF, opens in a new tab) – August 2023
- Separating Stream Flows from Combined Sewer Provides System Relief (PDF, opens in a new tab)– May 2023
- CSO Perspectives: Managing Risk – All Projects Have Risk (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Nov. 2022
- Burt-Izard Lift Station Provides Critical Support to System-Wide Operations (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Aug. 2022
- Sewer Collection System Model (PDF, opens in a new tab) – May 2022
- CSO LTCP Update Approved with Efficiencies, New Path Forward (PDF) – Nov. 2021
- Updated Public Website Streamlines CSO Program Information (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Aug. 2021
- Long Term Control Plan Updates Lead to Improved Efficiency for Omaha's CSO Program (PDF, opens in a new tab) – May 2021
- CSO Program Makes Significant Improvements to Water Quality, Infrastructure (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Feb. 2021
- Model Indicates Missouri River Water Quality (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Nov. 2020
- SEB Spotlight: Contour Construction (opens in a new tab) – Nov. 2020
- CSO Program Adapts to COVID-19 Impacts (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Aug. 2020
- MRWRRF Operationally Complete (PDF, opens in a new tab) – May 2020
- Collector Tunnel System Geotechnical Borings; Partnership with University of Nebraska-Lincoln Benefits CSO Program (PDF, opens in a new tab)– Apr. 2020
- Runoff Restoration: A local park was restored in Nebraska to aid in reducing the overflow of raw sewage (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Storm Water Solutions Magazine, Feb. 2020
- Optimization Task to Set Future Course for Program (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Nov. 2019
- 2019 Flood Impacts on CSO Program Efforts (opens in a new tab) – Aug. 2019
- Omaha’s Sewer Rate Increases are Lower than Projected (PDF, opens in a new tab)– Aug. 2019
- South Interceptor Force Main Project Construction (PDF, opens in a new tab) – May 2019
- Saddle Creek Retention Treatment Basin Project Benefits from Re-Engineering Benefits (opens in a new tab) – Feb. 2019
- RNC Program Compliments CSO Program Efforts (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Nov. 2018
- CSO Consent Order Amended (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Aug. 2018
- Green Infrastructure Benefits Omaha’s CSO Program (PDF, opens in a new tab) – May 2018
- South Interceptor Force Main Project: North Segment Construction (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Feb. 2018
- Missouri River Wastewater Treatment Improvements (PDF, opens in a new tab)– Nov. 2017
- Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality Approves Long Term Control Plan Modifications (PDF, opens in a new tab) – Aug. 2017
- Fontenelle Park Project (PDF, opens in a new tab) – May 2017
- Focus on Safety (PDF, opens in a new tab)– Feb. 2017
- Spring Lake Park Project (PDF, opens in a new tab)– Nov. 2016
- Adams Park Wetlands Improvement Project (PDF, opens in a new tab)– Aug. 2016
- New Municipal Headworks for the Missouri River WWTP Improvements–Schedule B1 Project (PDF, opens in a new tab)– June 2016
- Change, Growth On the Horizon (PDF, opens in a new tab) – 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.
