Worst Infrastructure: Nebraska — 2026 Rankings

Out of 613 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in Nebraska, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	613
Highest risk	66%
Median risk	43%
Average risk	41%
State	Nebraska

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	69036	Lebanon	NE	66%	Very High	—
2	68324	Burr	NE	64%	Very High	33/100
3	68440	Steele City	NE	64%	Very High	24/100
4	68791	Wisner	NE	63%	Very High	13/100
5	69337	Chadron	NE	63%	Very High	50/100
6	68710	Allen	NE	61%	Very High	22/100
7	68769	Plainview	NE	60%	High	33/100
8	69331	Angora	NE	60%	High	53/100
9	68770	Ponca	NE	58%	High	45/100
10	68901	Hastings	NE	58%	High	62/100
11	68367	Gresham	NE	56%	High	64/100
12	68623	Belgrade	NE	56%	High	59/100
13	68654	Polk	NE	56%	High	66/100
14	69219	Nenzel	NE	56%	High	66/100
15	69351	Lakeside	NE	56%	High	63/100
16	68072	Winslow	NE	54%	High	45/100
17	68107	Omaha	NE	54%	High	46/100
18	68108	Omaha	NE	54%	High	51/100
19	68865	Phillips	NE	54%	High	38/100
20	68946	Hendley	NE	54%	High	40/100
21	68004	Bancroft	NE	53%	High	40/100
22	68055	Rosalie	NE	53%	High	66/100
23	68666	Stromsburg	NE	53%	High	60/100
24	69354	Marsland	NE	53%	High	53/100
25	69355	Melbeta	NE	53%	High	53/100
26	68105	Omaha	NE	52%	High	51/100
27	68111	Omaha	NE	52%	High	51/100
28	68132	Omaha	NE	52%	High	46/100
29	68601	Columbus	NE	52%	High	35/100
30	68667	Surprise	NE	52%	High	40/100
31	68747	Mclean	NE	52%	High	64/100
32	68882	Wolbach	NE	52%	High	62/100
33	68926	Beaver City	NE	52%	High	35/100
34	68942	Guide Rock	NE	52%	High	70/100
35	69039	Moorefield	NE	52%	High	65/100
36	68104	Omaha	NE	51%	High	46/100
37	68112	Omaha	NE	51%	High	46/100
38	68326	Carleton	NE	51%	High	47/100
39	68329	Cook	NE	51%	High	56/100
40	68364	Goehner	NE	51%	High	61/100
41	68631	Creston	NE	51%	High	61/100
42	68638	Fullerton	NE	51%	High	67/100
43	68739	Hartington	NE	51%	High	58/100
44	68745	Laurel	NE	51%	High	60/100
45	68749	Magnet	NE	51%	High	65/100
46	68789	Winnetoon	NE	51%	High	61/100
47	68813	Anselmo	NE	51%	High	82/100
48	68816	Archer	NE	51%	High	63/100
49	68935	Edgar	NE	51%	High	33/100
50	68940	Funk	NE	51%	High	65/100
51	69128	Bushnell	NE	51%	High	75/100
52	68110	Omaha	NE	50%	High	51/100
53	68323	Burchard	NE	50%	High	58/100
54	68332	Crab Orchard	NE	50%	High	54/100
55	68452	Ong	NE	50%	High	65/100
56	68655	Primrose	NE	50%	High	66/100
57	68751	Maskell	NE	50%	High	64/100
58	69161	Seneca	NE	50%	High	66/100
59	69353	Mcgrew	NE	50%	High	53/100
60	68001	Abie	NE	49%	High	66/100
61	68040	Malmo	NE	49%	High	66/100
62	68106	Omaha	NE	49%	High	46/100
63	68117	Omaha	NE	49%	High	46/100
64	68309	Barneston	NE	49%	High	66/100
65	68325	Byron	NE	49%	High	64/100
66	68375	Hubbell	NE	49%	High	69/100
67	68380	Lewiston	NE	49%	High	66/100
68	68416	Ohiowa	NE	49%	High	62/100
69	68417	Otoe	NE	49%	High	70/100
70	68421	Peru	NE	49%	High	63/100
71	68438	Sprague	NE	49%	High	64/100
72	68439	Staplehurst	NE	49%	High	65/100
73	68444	Strang	NE	49%	High	40/100
74	68445	Swanton	NE	49%	High	68/100
75	68457	Verdon	NE	49%	High	66/100
76	68664	Snyder	NE	49%	High	52/100
77	68717	Belden	NE	49%	High	66/100
78	68724	Center	NE	49%	High	66/100
79	68758	Newman Grove	NE	49%	High	70/100
80	68764	Orchard	NE	49%	High	73/100
81	68766	Page	NE	49%	High	99/100
82	68783	Verdigre	NE	49%	High	66/100
83	68786	Wausa	NE	49%	High	66/100
84	68846	Hordville	NE	49%	High	66/100
85	68929	Bloomington	NE	49%	High	66/100
86	68936	Edison	NE	49%	High	66/100
87	68948	Holbrook	NE	49%	High	64/100
88	68966	Orleans	NE	49%	High	66/100
89	68972	Riverton	NE	49%	High	70/100
90	68975	Saronville	NE	49%	High	40/100
91	69041	Parks	NE	49%	High	53/100
92	69122	Big Springs	NE	49%	High	83/100
93	69142	Halsey	NE	49%	High	66/100
94	69334	Bayard	NE	49%	High	83/100
95	68019	Craig	NE	48%	High	59/100
96	68057	Scribner	NE	48%	High	65/100
97	68131	Omaha	NE	48%	High	46/100
98	68345	Du Bois	NE	48%	High	40/100
99	68359	Friend	NE	48%	High	59/100
100	68376	Humboldt	NE	48%	High	70/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.