Chemigation is an efficient and easy way to put your chemical onto the field. Many producers in the district use this application method to put fertilizer on as the crop needs it and do so by injecting chemical into their pivot systems to get a uniform distribution of the correct concentration of fertilizer. This can be done in a variety of irrigation systems, including subsurface drip irrigation (SDI). However, there can be some confusion when it comes to the regulations involved with applying chemical using an SDI system. All SDI systems must have underground injection control (UIC) authorization, whether you plan to chemigate or not. If you want to put in an SDI system, you can find more information on UIC and the applications for SDI on the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy website. 

Once your application is accepted, your authorization for that well is good for ten years. If you are planning to chemigate with this SDI system, then you will need to also get a chemigation permit from the NRD. Like other chemigation permits, the SDI system will need the required safety equipment and initial inspection before injecting chemical. While the UIC allows you to use the SDI system, the chemigation permit will authorize you to be able to inject chemical through that system. Remember, the only time you do not need a chemigation permit with SDI systems is if you are just irrigating with it and are injecting chlorine to clean the system once each calendar year. If you would like to know more about chemigation, or would like to apply for a permit, feel free to contact the NRD with any questions you have.