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Nebraska Water Quality
221
Utilities in database
1.6M
Residents served
40%
On private wells
3
Key contaminants tracked
Drinking Water in Nebraska
Nebraska has 221 community water systems serving approximately 1.6 million residents. Primary water sources include groundwater. The most commonly reported contaminants include disinfection byproducts, lead, nitrates. 40% of Nebraska residents rely on private wells. DHHS holds primary enforcement authority under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Utilities in Nebraska
1–25 of 221Metropolitan Utilities District
NE3105507 · 660,000 served
City of Lincoln
NE3110926 · 296,000 served
City of Grand Island
NE3107902 · 51,478 served
City of Papillion
NE3115313 · 35,000 served
City of Kearney
NE3101906 · 34,000 served
City of Fremont
NE3105312 · 27,230 served
City of Norfolk
NE3111910 · 26,147 served
City of North Platte
NE3111106 · 25,000 served
City of Hastings
NE3100101 · 24,927 served
City of Columbus
NE3114110 · 24,028 served
City of Scottsbluff
NE3115716 · 14,282 served
City of South Sioux City
NE3104309 · 14,043 served
City of Beatrice
NE3106705 · 12,220 served
City of Lexington
NE3104708 · 10,348 served
City of Gretna
NE3115303 · 8,661 served
City of Gering
NE3115717 · 8,500 served
City of York
NE3118706 · 8,091 served
City of Alliance
NE3101302 · 8,070 served
City of Blair
NE3117905 · 8,000 served
City of Seward
NE3115905 · 7,700 served
City of Crete
NE3115104 · 7,566 served
City of Mccook
NE3114504 · 7,450 served
City of Nebraska City
NE3113106 · 7,414 served
City of Sidney
NE3103303 · 6,720 served
City of Plattsmouth
NE3102501 · 6,680 served
Key Contaminant Concerns in Nebraska
Lead
Lead is a naturally occurring heavy metal that was widely used in plumbing infrastructure until it was banned for new installations in 1986. An estimated 9.2 million lead service lines still connect homes to public water mains across the United States, along with millions of homes with lead solder in their internal plumbing.
Nitrates
Nitrate (NO₃⁻) is a nitrogen-containing compound that forms naturally through the decomposition of organic matter. At elevated concentrations — almost always from human activity — nitrate interferes with the blood's ability to carry oxygen. The United States produces over 23 million tons of nitrogen fertilizer annually, making agricultural runoff the dominant source of nitrate contamination.
DBPs
When utilities add chlorine to water to kill pathogens, it reacts with dissolved organic matter — leaves, algae, soil — to produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs). Over 600 DBPs have been identified. The EPA regulates two groups: total trihalomethanes (TTHMs, including chloroform) and haloacetic acids (HAA5). DBP levels tend to be highest in surface water systems and in warm months when organic matter is elevated.
Nebraska Water FAQs
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Data source: Utility data from EPA SDWIS. 221 active community water systems ingested. CCR contaminant data ingestion in progress.
Last updated: 2026-04-22