Nebraska Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Nebraska, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Grand Island, City Of has the highest PFAS in Nebraska at 24.6 ppt (6x the EPA limit). Cass Co Rwd 2 has the highest lead at 9.5 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Nebraska
Public water systems in Nebraska with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Island, City Of | – | 24.6 | 3 | 6x |
| 2 | Plattsmouth, City Of | – | 18.5 | 2 | 5x |
| 3 | North Platte, City Of | – | 17 | 2 | 4x |
| 4 | Blair, City Of | – | 7.7 | 1 | 2x |
| 5 | Hastings, City Of | – | 6.6 | 2 | 2x |
| 6 | Fremont, City Of | – | 5.6 | 1 | 1x |
| 7 | Auburn, City Of | – | 5.5 | 1 | 1x |
Highest Lead Levels in Nebraska
Community water systems in Nebraska with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cass Co Rwd 2 | Elmwood · 1,860 served | 9.5 | within |
| 2 | Logan East Rural Water System | Oakland · 3,000 served | 4.6 | within |
| 3 | Dakota Co Rural Water | Blair · 2,032 served | 3.1 | within |
| 4 | Cass Co Sid 5 - Buccaneer Bay | Plattsmouth · 1,417 served | 1.7 | within |
| 5 | Washington Co Rural Water 2 | Blair · 1,218 served | 1.7 | within |
| 6 | Sarpy Co Sid 158 - Tiburon Golf Course | Waterloo · 1,992 served | 1.5 | within |
| 7 | Contempo Mhp | Lincoln · 1,630 served | 1.4 | within |
| 8 | Stanton Co Sid 1 - Woodland Park | Norfolk · 1,841 served | 1.4 | within |
| 9 | Cedar-Knox Rural Water Project | Hartington · 2,500 served | 0.7 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Nebraska
Community water systems in Nebraska with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cedar-Knox Rural Water Project | Hartington · 2,500 served | 18 |
| 2 | Cass Co Rwd 2 | Elmwood · 1,860 served | 2 |
| 3 | Cass Co Sid 5 - Buccaneer Bay | Plattsmouth · 1,417 served | 1 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Nebraska?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Grand Island, City Of had the highest recorded PFAS level in Nebraska at 24.6 ppt - about 6x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Nebraska water system has the highest lead levels?
Cass Co Rwd 2 in Elmwood had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Nebraska under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 9.5 ppb (within the 15 ppb action level).
Which Nebraska water system has the most EPA violations?
Cedar-Knox Rural Water Project in Hartington has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Nebraska, with 18 violations.
Where does the Nebraska water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Nebraska Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Nebraska water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.