Worst Infrastructure: Nebraska — 2026 Rankings

Out of 615 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	615
Highest risk	76%
Median risk	48%
Average risk	47%
State	Nebraska

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	Pipe Failure Risk	Risk Level	Safety Score
1	69331	Angora	NE	76%	Very High	53/100
2	68654	Polk	NE	72%	Very High	66/100
3	69219	Nenzel	NE	72%	Very High	66/100
4	68623	Belgrade	NE	71%	Very High	59/100
5	69351	Lakeside	NE	71%	Very High	63/100
6	68072	Winslow	NE	69%	Very High	45/100
7	69354	Marsland	NE	68%	Very High	53/100
8	69355	Melbeta	NE	68%	Very High	53/100
9	68666	Stromsburg	NE	67%	Very High	60/100
10	69036	Lebanon	NE	67%	Very High	—
11	68816	Archer	NE	65%	Very High	63/100
12	68926	Beaver City	NE	65%	Very High	35/100
13	68942	Guide Rock	NE	65%	Very High	70/100
14	68324	Burr	NE	64%	Very High	33/100
15	68326	Carleton	NE	64%	Very High	47/100
16	68440	Steele City	NE	64%	Very High	24/100
17	69353	Mcgrew	NE	64%	Very High	53/100
18	68323	Burchard	NE	63%	Very High	58/100
19	68332	Crab Orchard	NE	63%	Very High	54/100
20	68655	Primrose	NE	63%	Very High	66/100
21	68724	Center	NE	63%	Very High	66/100
22	68791	Wisner	NE	63%	Very High	13/100
23	68972	Riverton	NE	63%	Very High	70/100
24	69142	Halsey	NE	63%	Very High	66/100
25	69161	Seneca	NE	63%	Very High	66/100
26	69334	Bayard	NE	63%	Very High	83/100
27	69337	Chadron	NE	63%	Very High	50/100
28	68309	Barneston	NE	62%	Very High	66/100
29	68380	Lewiston	NE	62%	Very High	66/100
30	68417	Otoe	NE	62%	Very High	70/100
31	68438	Sprague	NE	62%	Very High	64/100
32	68444	Strang	NE	62%	Very High	40/100
33	68457	Verdon	NE	62%	Very High	66/100
34	68664	Snyder	NE	62%	Very High	52/100
35	68766	Page	NE	62%	Very High	99/100
36	68929	Bloomington	NE	62%	Very High	66/100
37	68966	Orleans	NE	62%	Very High	66/100
38	68975	Saronville	NE	62%	Very High	40/100
39	69041	Parks	NE	62%	Very High	53/100
40	69122	Big Springs	NE	62%	Very High	83/100
41	68001	Abie	NE	61%	Very High	66/100
42	68040	Malmo	NE	61%	Very High	66/100
43	68345	Du Bois	NE	61%	Very High	40/100
44	68464	Western	NE	61%	Very High	66/100
45	68710	Allen	NE	61%	Very High	22/100
46	68717	Belden	NE	61%	Very High	66/100
47	68761	Oakdale	NE	61%	Very High	83/100
48	68769	Plainview	NE	61%	Very High	33/100
49	68786	Wausa	NE	61%	Very High	66/100
50	68860	Oconto	NE	61%	Very High	83/100
51	68936	Edison	NE	61%	Very High	66/100
52	69043	Stratton	NE	61%	Very High	33/100
53	68359	Friend	NE	60%	High	59/100
54	68379	Julian	NE	60%	High	66/100
55	68441	Steinauer	NE	60%	High	66/100
56	68722	Butte	NE	60%	High	66/100
57	68828	Comstock	NE	60%	High	83/100
58	68859	North Loup	NE	60%	High	83/100
59	68933	Clay Center	NE	60%	High	66/100
60	68939	Franklin	NE	60%	High	66/100
61	68960	Naponee	NE	60%	High	66/100
62	68978	Superior	NE	60%	High	70/100
63	69001	Mc Cook	NE	60%	High	45/100
64	69131	Dalton	NE	60%	High	83/100
65	69150	Madrid	NE	60%	High	83/100
66	69214	Johnstown	NE	60%	High	66/100
67	69339	Crawford	NE	60%	High	83/100
68	68381	Liberty	NE	59%	High	66/100
69	68420	Pawnee City	NE	59%	High	66/100
70	68453	Tobias	NE	59%	High	70/100
71	68466	Wymore	NE	59%	High	70/100
72	68773	Royal	NE	59%	High	83/100
73	68814	Ansley	NE	59%	High	83/100
74	68815	Arcadia	NE	59%	High	83/100
75	68817	Ashton	NE	59%	High	83/100
76	69023	Champion	NE	59%	High	53/100
77	69038	Maywood	NE	59%	High	66/100
78	69143	Hershey	NE	59%	High	95/100
79	69168	Venango	NE	59%	High	83/100
80	69345	Harrisburg	NE	59%	High	53/100
81	68038	Lyons	NE	58%	High	66/100
82	68335	Davenport	NE	58%	High	66/100
83	68337	Dawson	NE	58%	High	66/100
84	68633	Dodge	NE	58%	High	65/100
85	68733	Emerson	NE	58%	High	40/100
86	68736	Fordyce	NE	58%	High	66/100
87	68748	Madison	NE	58%	High	65/100
88	68770	Ponca	NE	58%	High	45/100
89	68901	Hastings	NE	58%	High	62/100
90	68932	Campbell	NE	58%	High	66/100
91	68938	Fairfield	NE	58%	High	66/100
92	68952	Inavale	NE	58%	High	40/100
93	69032	Hayes Center	NE	58%	High	66/100
94	69037	Max	NE	58%	High	63/100
95	69040	Palisade	NE	58%	High	66/100
96	69148	Lisco	NE	58%	High	66/100
97	69167	Tryon	NE	58%	High	66/100
98	69170	Wellfleet	NE	58%	High	40/100
99	69343	Gordon	NE	58%	High	83/100
100	69346	Harrison	NE	58%	High	83/100

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: 2026-07-19.

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.