Lincoln, NE: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 67/100
29 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Lincoln: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Lincoln lands in the middle of the grade scale in NE; EPA records can differ from one service area to the next.
How Lincoln Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Water Quality Map: Lincoln, NE
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Lincoln's 20 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Lincoln Residents
- Water systems mapped to your city have 1 violation on record since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0046 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 47% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $300 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.36.
Lincoln's Water Providers
Counting every public water system linked to Lincoln, NE in federal data gives 5. The list below keeps the 3 largest by reported population served, a figure that covers each system's whole service area rather than the city alone. A household's own supplier is named on its water bill.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 29 ZIP codes in Lincoln, Nebraska, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 301,026 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 22 of 29 ZIP codes.
1 of 22 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (5%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lincoln: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Lincoln water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0046 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 22 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
29 of 29 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68507 | C | 1 | 1 | City of Lincoln, |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68502 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68503 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68504 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68505 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68506 | — | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68508 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68510 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68512 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68514 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
| 68516 | C | City of Lincoln, | 296,000 |
All ZIP Codes in Lincoln
- 68501
- 68502 [C]
- 68503 [C]
- 68504 [C]
- 68505 [C]
- 68506
- 68507 [C] - 1 violation ⚠
- 68508 [C]
- 68509
- 68510 [C]
- 68512 [C]
- 68514 [C]
- 68516 [C]
- 68517
- 68520 [C]
- 68521 [C]
- 68522 [C]
- 68523 [C]
- 68524 [C]
- 68526 [C]
- 68527 [C]
- 68528 [C]
- 68529
- 68531 [C]
- 68532
- 68542
- 68544
- 68583
- 68588 [C]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Lincoln Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Lincoln's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Lincoln Infrastructure Age
With 47% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
A citywide median of 1986 for construction says little about any single address in Lincoln. Homes built before 1986, when federal amendments restricted the lead content allowed in new pipe, solder and flux, may contain plumbing materials with more lead, and later renovations may have replaced them. An inspection of the plumbing can identify the materials, and sending a tap water sample to an accredited laboratory measures lead.
Most homes in Lincoln were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Lincoln
Relative to home values, Lincoln remediation estimates run low.
Estimated remediation costs in Lincoln can be compared with local home values. The $150–$600 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 41% above the Nebraska average.
Lincoln: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Lincoln: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Lincoln contains 276 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $18,661. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 61% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The $300 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Lincoln
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. For Nitrate-Nitrite, listed in the water-quality records for Lincoln: if it is a rule or reporting requirement rather than a contaminant, ask your utility what the record involved; for bacteria, follow any boil-water notice from your utility; for a specific chemical contaminant, check whether a filter is certified to reduce it. Not every contaminant has a consumer filter certification.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 47% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Lincoln, NE