Exceeds EPA Limit Arsenic EXCEEDS EPA LIMIT

Arsenic in Columbus, NE Drinking Water

Arsenic data for Columbus, Nebraska · 24,384 residents · 2 ZIP codes

Within Columbus, Nebraska, Arsenic has been detected in water samples drawn from the public supply — the results are part of the official EPA compliance record for systems here.

10 ppb
EPA MCL
30
EPA Violations
High
Health Risk
Reverse Osmosis
Best Filter Method

Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-14

Arsenic in Columbus Tap Water

Columbus, Nebraska has 30 EPA violations related to arsenic in drinking water.

This analysis covers 24,384 residents across 2 ZIP codes in Columbus.

Columbus's overall water quality grade is F (34/100).

Is Arsenic in Columbus Water Safe?

Arsenic levels in parts of Columbus exceed the EPA MCL of 10 ppb. The EPA requires water systems to take corrective action when this limit is exceeded.

If you live in an affected ZIP code, consider installing a reverse osmosis filter certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 and testing your water independently.

EPA Violations for Arsenic in Columbus

Date Violation Type Status ZIP Code
2025-07-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2025-07-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2025-04-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2025-04-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2025-01-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2025-01-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2024-10-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2024-10-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2024-07-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2024-07-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2024-04-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2024-04-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2024-01-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2024-01-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2023-10-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2023-10-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2023-07-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2023-07-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
2023-04-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68601
2023-04-01 Arsenic (Known) Known 68602
... 10 more violations

Health Effects of Arsenic

  • Increased risk of skin, bladder, lung, and kidney cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
  • Skin changes (darkening, thickening, lesions)
  • Developmental effects in children exposed in utero

Health risk severity: High. Governed by the Arsenic Rule (2006).

How Arsenic Gets Into Drinking Water

  • Natural deposits in rock and soil (especially in western U.S.)
  • Runoff from orchards and glass/electronics production
  • Historical use of arsenic-based pesticides
  • Well water in areas with arsenic-rich geology

What to Do About Arsenic in Columbus Water

  1. Install a reverse osmosis (RO) system certified under NSF 58
  2. Adsorptive media filters (iron-based) can also reduce arsenic
  3. Have well water tested if on a private supply
  4. Boiling water does NOT remove arsenic — it concentrates it

Look for filters certified under NSF 53 / NSF 58 for arsenic removal.

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