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Utilities FAQs

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1. Whom do I call if my sewer is backing up?

Call the Utilities Department Water Division at (308) 233-3242.

2. How do I dispose of old computers, televisions, batteries, and cell phones?

It is legal for households to dispose of the waste mentioned above in the refuse collection container. However, commercial businesses, and other non-households must follow the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality regulations in Title 128 of the Nebraska Administrative Code for disposing of hazardous waste, see Title 128 – Nebraska Hazardous Waste Regulations on NDEQ web site www-deq.state.ne.us. Disposal requirements depend on whether the business is a Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generator (CESQG), a Small Quantity Generator (SQG), or a Large Quantity Generator (LQG) of Hazardous Waste. Questions can be answered by Erik Waiss, Environmental Assistance Coordinator, at NDEQ call 1-402-471-8308.

The City of Kearney does offer drop-off sites for residential recyclables including rechargeable batteries and cell phones at the Public Works Building drop-off site at 1919 15th Avenue or at the Recycling Center at 3007 East 39th Street. If residents want to recycle their used electronic devices they should ask the retailer selling the new product. Some retailers offer recycling of electronics for a fee.

3. What is the number that I am supposed to call before I dig?

The telephone number for Diggers Hot Line of Nebraska is 811. Diggers Hot Line is the State of Nebraska One Call System provider. It is free to call and can save you liability for damaged utilities if you don’t call.

4. What is the capacity of the City's water towers?

The City has three water towers with a total of 3,750,000 gallons.

5. What is the average daily water consumption?

Approximately 5.4 million gallons per day.

6. Can yard waste be put in trash containers?

No, there are brown containers for yard waste. Yard waste containers are emptied once a week, April through the third week of November, for a fee of $11.35 per month per container.

7. How should I set my water softener?

The hardness of the municipal water supply requires that most softners be set at 19 grains per gallon.

8. Is it normal for the water meter pit at my home to be full of water?

Yes, it can be normal for water meter pits to contain water. The source of the water is usually rain water, irrigation water, or melting snow. Residents can bail the water out using a cup or can. If you notice water leaking from a pipe or the meter, please call the Utilities Department Water Distribution Division at (308) 233-3242 and ask that the meter pit be inspected for a possible leak.

9. If I have extra trash, is it okay for me to take it Downtown and place it in one of the trash dumpsters in the alley?

No, it is not allowed.

Section 5-211 of the Kearney City Code Collection Regulations: Use of Assigned Property. “It shall be unlawful for any person to place, or permit another to place, any garbage or trash in any receptacle, at any refuse collection point or in any garbage container used in the city container collection service, unless the garbage, trash, or refuse is from the premises served by the container or from the premises at which the container or collection point is located.”

Extra trash should be carefully transported to the Landfill and disposed of there for the appropriate fee.

Residents who observe unlawful use of the refuse collection containers should call the Police Department at 233-5250 with the description of the person using the refuse container unlawfully and that person’s vehicle description.