Seneca, NE Water Safety: 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Seneca, EPA compliance data for NE sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Seneca Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Seneca Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 91% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- CDC health risk index: 13.04 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Seneca
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Seneca, NE — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Seneca, Nebraska (population ~52), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 279 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Seneca — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Seneca: C (66/100)
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
Seneca water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Seneca
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69161 | C | MULLEN, VILLAGE OF | 279 |
All ZIP Codes in Seneca
- 69161 [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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Seneca
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
How Old Is Seneca's Housing Stock?
With 91% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Seneca, where the median build year is 1955, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Seneca 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Seneca
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 91% of Seneca stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Seneca
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 91% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Seneca, NE