CITY REPORT NE

Farnam, NE Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03

In current NE EPA data, Farnam's tap water sits in the high-safety tier.

How Farnam Compares

Farnam83/100
Nebraska avg65/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
B · 83
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$86K
Median Home Value
$400
Est. Remediation (0.5% of home value)

Farnam Water: The Quick Version

  • Average lead level: 0.0007 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 89% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.33 — above typical levels.

Water Systems Serving Farnam

Most residential addresses in Farnam, NE are served by a single water utility — the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.

Farnam, Village of
Serves ~170 people
83
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Farnam, Nebraska, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 293 people.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Farnam — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Farnam: B (83/100)

The score combines three factors:

Factor What It Measures
Water Quality EPA violations and compliance history
Lead Levels 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level
Radon Risk EPA radon zone classification

Water Sources

Farnam water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0007 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
69029 B Farnam, Village of 170

All ZIP Codes in Farnam

Data Sources

Updated daily.

CDC Health Data for Farnam

8.7%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
13.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
13.7%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 8.7% ↓
Diabetes 13.5% ↑
Mental Health 13.7% ↓

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

How Old Is Farnam's Housing Stock?

1969
Median Build Year
89%
Built Before 1986
50%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 89% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Farnam's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1969 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.

1969
Median Year Built
89%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
50%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (50%) 1970–1986 (39%) Post-1986 (11%)

Over half of homes in Farnam were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Farnam: Remediation Cost in Perspective

Placing remediation in the context of Farnam's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.

Median Home Value
$85,800
Est. Remediation
$400
Remediation as % of home value 0.5%

Remediation costs in Farnam are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 51% below the Nebraska average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Farnam

89%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0007
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

89% of Farnam housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Farnam, NE?
Farnam has an average water safety score of 83/100 (Grade B). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
Does Farnam water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Farnam is 0.0007 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Farnam compare to Nebraska average?
Farnam has an average water safety score of 83/100, which is above the Nebraska state average of 65/100.
How many water systems serve Farnam?
Farnam is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 293 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Farnam?
Estimated remediation costs in Farnam average $400 per household, ranging from $0 to $800. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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