West Knox Rural Water System was established to provide safe, reliable drinking water to the communities of Verdigre, Winnetoon, and surrounding rural residents.
Construction began in 1984 with the drilling of two wells located eight miles south of Verdigre, just west of the intersection of Highways 14 and 59. The system officially began operations on January 1, 1985, serving Verdigre, Winnetoon, and 160 rural customers.
To ensure long-term reliability and meet growing demand, two additional supply wells were added in 2017 on an 80-acre tract purchased by the District, located one mile south of the original well field.
- Over two miles of 8-inch mainline
- Three valve/meter pits
- A fully updated monitoring system allowing staff to operate and monitor the system remotely via smartphone.
In 2024, West Knox Rural Water System received a Water Sustainability Fund (WSF) grant to replace and upgrade all customer meters and implement new billing and payment software.
- Beacon Remote Read Meters were installed in fall 2025, allowing for accurate, real-time meter readings.
- The system transitioned from a 40-year customer-read, mail-in billing process to a fully digital billing and payment platform in spring 2026.
In fall 2025, the main storage tank underwent full rehabilitation to extend its service life and ensure continued structural integrity. A new backup generator was also installed to ensure continued operation and system safety in the event of a power failure. Additional tank rehabilitation projects are scheduled over the next five years to proactively maintain, improve, and strengthen the entire storage system for long-term reliability.
Today West Knox Rural Water System continues to supply water to the communities of Verdigre and Winnetoon, along with 260 rural customers. We remain committed to providing safe, reliable drinking water to Northeast Nebraska — today and for generations to come.
Contact Information
P.O. Box 281
Verdigre, NE 68783
Phone: (402)-668-7223
Cell: (402)-358-0250
E-mail: WKRW@LNNRD.ORG
Staff
Dan Ebel – Project Manager
Dorothy Mastalir – Office Assistant
Clint Mervicker – Maintenance Assistant