Nebraska

Water quality data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System

Lead Risk: Caution

Water Systems

2,779

Active public water systems

Population Served

1.80M

Residents with piped water

Lead Violations

Systems exceeding 15 ppb

Copper Violations

242

Lead & Copper Rule

Average Lead Level

2.28 ppb

EPA Action Level: 15 ppb

MCLG (health goal): 0 ppb

0 ppbAction Level: 15 ppb

Average across 913 systems with reported lead data.

Violations Detected

249 water systems in Nebraska have reported violations under the Lead and Copper Rule. These utilities are required to notify customers and take corrective action.

7 lead violations242 copper violations

Water Systems: Highest Lead Levels

System Name	City	Population	Lead Level	Status	Sample Date
METROPOLITAN UTILITIES DISTRICT	OMAHA	660,000	12.30 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
NORTH PLATTE, CITY OF	NORTH PLATTE	25,000	7.59 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
HASTINGS, CITY OF	HASTINGS	24,927	5.99 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
KEARNEY, CITY OF	KEARNEY	34,000	5.48 ppb	OK	2024-12-31
NORFOLK, CITY OF	NORFOLK	26,147	4.73 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
LINCOLN, CITY OF	LINCOLN	296,000	4.50 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
COLUMBUS, CITY OF	COLUMBUS	24,028	3.31 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
SCOTTSBLUFF, CITY OF	SCOTTSBLUFF	14,282	3.20 ppb	OK	2024-12-31
LEXINGTON, CITY OF	LEXINGTON	10,230	2.95 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
PAPILLION, CITY OF	PAPILLION	35,000	2.80 ppb	OK	2023-12-31
GRAND ISLAND, CITY OF	GRAND ISLAND	51,478	1.98 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
BEATRICE, CITY OF	BEATRICE	12,220	1.72 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
SOUTH SIOUX CITY, CITY OF	SOUTH SIOUX CITY	14,043	1.10 ppb	OK	2025-12-31
FREMONT, CITY OF	FREMONT	27,230	0.93 ppb	OK	2027-12-31

Showing top 14 of 892 systems with lead data. Action level: 15 ppb.

Systems With Active Violations

These water systems have exceeded EPA limits and must take corrective action.

GRAND ISLAND, CITY OF

GRAND ISLAND · Pop. 51,478

Copper

Lead: 1.98 ppb (2025-12-31)

PAPILLION, CITY OF

PAPILLION · Pop. 35,000

Copper

Lead: 2.80 ppb (2023-12-31)

KEARNEY, CITY OF

KEARNEY · Pop. 34,000

Copper

Lead: 5.48 ppb (2024-12-31)

FREMONT, CITY OF

FREMONT · Pop. 27,230

Copper

Lead: 0.93 ppb (2027-12-31)

HASTINGS, CITY OF

HASTINGS · Pop. 24,927

Copper

Lead: 5.99 ppb (2025-12-31)

COLUMBUS, CITY OF

COLUMBUS · Pop. 24,028

Copper

Lead: 3.31 ppb (2025-12-31)

SCOTTSBLUFF, CITY OF

SCOTTSBLUFF · Pop. 14,282

Copper

Lead: 3.20 ppb (2024-12-31)

SOUTH SIOUX CITY, CITY OF

SOUTH SIOUX CITY · Pop. 14,043

Copper

Lead: 1.10 ppb (2025-12-31)

BEATRICE, CITY OF

BEATRICE · Pop. 12,220

Copper

Lead: 1.72 ppb (2025-12-31)

Water Source Types

Groundwater2433 (89%)

Purchased Groundwater195 (7%)

Purchased Surface Water47 (2%)

Unknown17 (1%)

Purchased GW Under Influence of SW16 (1%)

Surface Water8 (0%)

Groundwater Under Influence of SW7 (0%)

Resources

EPA Water Data Reports

Official drinking water data and reports

Lead in Drinking Water

EPA guidance on lead risks and remediation

Learn About Lead Contamination

Health effects, filtering options, and more

Air Quality

Good

Avg AQI

44.8

PM2.5

6 µg/m³

Unhealthy Days

Primary Pollutant

Dust, Ozone

AQI 0 (Good)AQI 100 (Moderate)200+

Source: EPA AirNow & American Lung Association 2024 State of the Air. AQI scale: 0–50 Good · 51–100 Moderate · 101–150 Sensitive Groups · 151+ Unhealthy.

PFAS Contamination

Moderate Detection

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment and human body. The EPA set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in April 2024. View national PFAS tracker →

Systems Tested

148

PFAS Detected

Detection Rate

29.7%

Exceeding MCL (4 ppt)

6(4.1%)

0%Detection rate: 29.7%100%

Highest recorded level: 14 ppt (EPA MCL: 4 ppt). Agricultural and military sources; Offutt AFB contamination documented

Data source:EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Lead and Copper Rule monitoring data. Lead levels represent 90th percentile results from the most recent monitoring period. Violations indicate exceedances of EPA action levels requiring corrective action. This tool is for informational purposes only and does not replace your utility's official Consumer Confidence Report.