What was found in Omaha's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 5410 µg/L 54% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 1850 µg/L 142% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 1300 µg/L | 7/8 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 969 µg/L 24% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 266 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 121 µg/L 151% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 109 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 102 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | UCMR-5 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 49.5 µg/L 83% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 36 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 31.2 µg/L 208% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 7/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 24.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 21.5 µg/L 22% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 17.2 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 14 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 11.3 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 8.92 µg/L 18% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 5.3 µg/L 2.7% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 5.07 µg/L 51% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 3/8 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 4.36 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Dinoseb | 3.22 µg/L 46% of the EPA limit 7 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 3.11 µg/L 52% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 2.35 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/8 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 2.2 pCi/L 44% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 5/8 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 2.19 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| 2,4,5-TP | 1.08 µg/L 2.2% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Atrazine | 1.03 µg/L 34% of the EPA limit 3 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Chlorobenzene | 1.02 µg/L 1% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Antimony, Total | 0.9830 µg/L 16% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Dichloromethane | 0.8400 µg/L 17% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Ethylbenzene | 0.7300 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 700 µg/L | 1/8 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0123 mg/L 82% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 8/8 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Omaha
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| METROPOLITAN UTILITIES DISTRICT | 660,000 |
| SARPY CO SID 23 - WESTMONT SUBDIVISION | 980 |
| MAPLEWOOD ESTATES MOBILE HOME PARK | 805 |
| MEADOWBROOK ESTATES WATER SYSTEM | 675 |
| DOUGLAS CO SID 277 - THE FARM | 450 |
| DOUGLAS CO SID 177 - RIVERSIDE LAKES | 330 |
| DOUGLAS CO SID 258 - CARAT HOMES | 125 |
| RIO VISTA MHP | 100 |
Frequently asked questions about Omaha tap water
Is Omaha tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 31 contaminants in the water serving Omaha. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Omaha?
8 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Omaha, Nebraska to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Omaha's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Omaha include Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Fluoride, Barium, TTHM. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.