Lincoln, NE: 29 Violations — 67/100 (2026)
29 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Lincoln, EPA compliance data for NE sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Lincoln Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
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 29 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Lincoln Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 29 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0044 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 47% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,010 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.36.
Lincoln's Water Providers
Water supply in Lincoln, NE follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 6 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 29 ZIP codes in Lincoln, Nebraska, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 301,026 people.
29 of 29 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lincoln: C (67/100)
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
Lincoln water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0044 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 29 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 30 | 29 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68501 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68502 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68503 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68504 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68505 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68506 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68507 | B | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68508 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68509 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
| 68510 | C | 1 | 0 | City of Lincoln, |
All ZIP Codes in Lincoln
- 68501 [B] — 1 violation
- 68502 [C] — 1 violation
- 68503 [C] — 1 violation
- 68504 [C] — 1 violation
- 68505 [B] — 1 violation
- 68506 [C] — 1 violation
- 68507 [B] — 1 violation
- 68508 [C] — 1 violation
- 68509 [C] — 1 violation
- 68510 [C] — 1 violation
- 68512 [B] — 1 violation
- 68514 [C] — 1 violation
- 68516 [C] — 1 violation
- 68517 [C] — 1 violation
- 68520 [B] — 1 violation
- 68521 [C] — 1 violation
- 68522 [B] — 1 violation
- 68523 [B] — 1 violation
- 68524 [C] — 1 violation
- 68526 [C] — 1 violation
- 68527 [B] — 1 violation
- 68528 [B] — 1 violation
- 68529 [C] — 1 violation
- 68531 [B] — 1 violation
- 68532 [C] — 1 violation
- 68542 [C] — 1 violation
- 68544 [C] — 1 violation
- 68583 [C] — 1 violation
- 68588 [C] — 1 violation
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
Updated daily.
Lincoln Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
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. 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
What does a median build year of 1986 mean for water safety in Lincoln? It means the housing stock straddles two key plumbing thresholds: the 1986 federal ban on lead solder in copper plumbing, and the pre-1970 era when lead pipes were commonly installed for service lines. A meaningful share of homes predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating varied risk levels across the city's housing inventory.
Most homes in Lincoln were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Lincoln
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Lincoln, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Lincoln are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,345–$2,717 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 41% above the Nebraska average.
Lincoln: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Wherever 47% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Lincoln — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Lincoln: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Lincoln's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 276 NFIP claims on record and 62% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Lincoln has a moderate flood history with 276 FEMA claims averaging $30,034 per payout. 62% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,010</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Lincoln
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lincoln's water.
- 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