Otoe County, Nebraska
10 ZIP codes · Avg score 61/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Safe water is the norm for most of Otoe County's 10 ZIP codes — but a notable subset have documented violations that push the grade to the middle tier.
How Otoe County Compares
How Otoe County Compares
Otoe County scores 4 points below the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 7 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Otoe County, Nebraska
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.4 (asthma 9.2%, diabetes 11.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $903, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.434% avg pipe failure probability, 40% of ZIPs at high risk
74.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Otoe County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2023 with 4 violations. Past 5 years: 15 total (15 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $903
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
6,718 housing units in Otoe County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Otoe County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Otoe County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Otoe County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Otoe County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Burr, Village of | 57 | 20 |
| 2 | Unadilla, Village of | 311 | 2 |
| 3 | Dunbar, Village of | 195 | 1 |
| 4 | City of Nebraska City, | 7,414 | 1 |
| 5 | Otoe Company Rwd 1 | 714 | 1 |
12 total water systems serve Otoe County.
All ZIP Codes in Otoe County
10 ZIP codes tracked in Otoe County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68344 | Douglas | 70 | B | 0 | $168K |
| 2 | 68346 | Dunbar | 70 | B | 1 | $116K |
| 3 | 68417 | Otoe | 70 | B | 0 | — |
| 4 | 68446 | Syracuse | 70 | B | 0 | $228K |
| 5 | 68418 | Palmyra | 66 | C | 0 | $199K |
| 6 | 68448 | Talmage | 66 | C | 0 | $106K |
| 7 | 68454 | Unadilla | 65 | C | 2 | $179K |
| 8 | 68410 | Nebraska City | 63 | C | 1 | $167K |
| 9 | 68382 | Lorton | 40 | D | 0 | $57K |
| 10 | 68324 | Burr | 33 | F | 20 (19 health) | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Otoe County
If FEMA records flag flood-top-risk status or EPA samples show PFAS exceedances, the matching logic lifts emergency-water and PFAS-rated filtration into the recommendations — federal data drives the order, not retailer arrangements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 74.7% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Otoe County, Nebraska
Overview
Otoe County in Nebraska covers 10 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (61/100).
4 of 10 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 19 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Nebraska water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.