Lincoln’s water supply will not be damaged by the Costco chicken-processing plant if the company does what it has promised, Donna Garden, assistant director of Public Works and Utilities, told the City Council on Monday.

Lincoln’s water quality should not be significantly impacted by the Costco operations if the small farmers raising the chicks abide by their treatment and nutritional management plans and if the Fremont wastewater plant is upgraded as planned, Garden said.

But a group concerned about the potential pollution doesn’t think the picture is that rosy nor that simple. And it is hoping city officials will look beyond what Costco and state officials are saying to assure Lincoln will have a safe water supply for the next 50 years.  

The group believes there should be an independent environmental analysis, unconnected to the industry source, to look at the potential polluting effects into the future, said Graham Christensen, a consultant who also farms north of Omaha.

Garden’s favorable report, based on conversations with Costco and state officials and Fremont city staff, found no problems.