Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT LEAD EXCEEDS LIMIT

Lead Exceeds EPA Limit at Waverly School District 145 (NE)

24 ZIP codes · 24 water systems · 4,451,135 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Waverly School District 145: 2 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23

C · 64
Avg Safety Score
24
ZIP Codes
24
Water Systems
23
Violations (5yr)
0.0048 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
1
ZIPs Over Lead Limit
Zone 1
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Waverly School District 145 in Nebraska spans 24 ZIP codes served by 24 community water systems, providing water to approximately 4,451,135 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is C (64/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 45/100 .

Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 60% nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0048 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.016 mg/L 0.015 mg/L EXCEEDS
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 1 of 24 -
Lead action level exceeded in 1 area. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that water in schools contain no more than 1 ppb (0.001 mg/L) of lead - 15 times stricter than the EPA action level. Consider requesting lead testing at your child's school.

EPA Violation History

5 health-based violations recorded across 17 of 24 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 2 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 13 No 13
Arsenic Inorganic 4 Yes 3
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 No 1
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 No 2
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 2 Yes 2

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)

24 of 24 ZIP codes are in the highest radon risk zone. Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. - homes and school buildings in Zone 1 should be tested.

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
68003 Ashland D (51) 5 0 0.00483 mg/L No
68349 Elmwood C (64) 2 2 0.0049 mg/L No
68366 Greenwood D (51) 2 1 0.00917 mg/L No
68304 Alvo C (59) 1 1 0.0068 mg/L No
68462 Waverly C (69) 1 1 0.0015 mg/L No
68504 Lincoln C (60) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68505 Lincoln B (70) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68506 Lincoln C (65) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68507 Lincoln B (70) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68514 Lincoln C (66) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68516 Lincoln C (65) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68517 Lincoln C (66) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68520 Lincoln B (70) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68521 Lincoln C (65) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68526 Lincoln C (66) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68527 Lincoln B (70) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68531 Lincoln B (70) 1 0 0.00441 mg/L No
68017 Ceresco D (45) 0 0 0.016 mg/L Yes
68317 Bennet B (70) 0 0 0.0015 mg/L No
68336 Davey C (66) 0 0 0.00107 mg/L No
68347 Eagle C (67) 0 0 0.00609 mg/L No
68418 Palmyra C (66) 0 0 0.00492 mg/L No
68428 Raymond B (70) 0 0 0.00055 mg/L No
68461 Walton D (53) 0 0 — —

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
LINCOLN, CITY OF 296,000 Surface water 68336, 68461, 68462 +12 more
Lancaster Company Rwd 1 6,000 Groundwater 68317
City of Waverly, 4,279 Groundwater 68462
City of Ashland, 3,086 Groundwater 68003, 68366
Cass Company Rwd 2 1,860 Groundwater 68349
Contempo Mhp 1,630 Surface water 68504, 68505, 68506 +9 more
Bennet, Village of 1,082 Groundwater 68317
Eagle, Village of 1,065 Groundwater 68347

24 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: HIGH. 1 ZIP code in this district exceed the EPA lead action level of 0.015 mg/L.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 51.5% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 15.6% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 15.3% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0048 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.016 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L

Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.

Detailed Violation History

2 health-based contaminants have triggered violations in this district: Arsenic, Consumer Confidence Report Rule.
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 13 No 13
Arsenic Inorganic 4 Yes 3
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 No 1
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 2 No 2
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 2 Yes 2

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 68003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 68003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 68003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 68003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 68003 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Waverly School District 145 Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Waverly School District 145 area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 5 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • 1 ZIP code have lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead is especially dangerous for children.
  • 51.5% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 2 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.

Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.

What Parents Should Do

Testing

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Waverly School District 145 school board for the most recent results.
  2. Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.

Advocacy

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
  3. Contact your water utility about the 2 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Consider a water filter for your home - NSF/ANSI 53 or NSF/ANSI 58 (reverse osmosis) filters are certified to remove lead. This is especially important for infant formula preparation.
  4. Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  5. Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Waverly School District 145 schools?

Water systems serving Waverly School District 145 have recorded 5 health-based violations in the past 5 years, and 1 area exceeds the EPA lead action level. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.

Does Waverly School District 145 test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Home → School Districts → Nebraska → Waverly School District 145

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Lead Exceeds EPA Limit at Waverly School District 145 (NE). https://zipcheckup.com/schools/waverly-school-district-145-ne/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-waverly-school-district-145-ne,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Lead Exceeds EPA Limit at Waverly School District 145 (NE)}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/waverly-school-district-145-ne/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

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