North Bend, NE: 1 Violation — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in North Bend, NE tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How North Bend Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for North Bend Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0072 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.24 — above typical levels.
North Bend's Water Providers
While 1 water system appear in federal records for North Bend, NE, one provider supplies the majority of residential connections — making it the central point of infrastructure and compliance accountability for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in North Bend, Nebraska, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,831 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for North Bend: C (55/100)
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
North Bend water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0072 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)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68649 | C | 1 | 0 | City of North Bend, |
All ZIP Codes in North Bend
- 68649 [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.
North Bend 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 North Bend's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
North Bend Infrastructure Age
With 68% 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
The character of North Bend's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1979 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in North Bend 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in North Bend
Middle of the range — North Bend homeowners face a remediation share that calls for real financial attention without reaching crisis territory.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in North Bend. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 14% above the Nebraska average.
North Bend: 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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for North Bend have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 68% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
North Bend: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Across the NFIP's long tracking period, North Bend shows 90 claims and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.
North Bend has a moderate flood history with 90 FEMA claims averaging $12,614 per payout. 100% 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>$2,400</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 North Bend
- 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 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in North Bend's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 68% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for North Bend, NE