Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in Lincoln?
Yes, tap water in Lincoln is safe to drink. The city pumps groundwater from wellfields along the Platte River near Ashland, naturally filtered through river sands, and it meets all EPA standards.
Water Source
The Lincoln Water System draws all of its supply from wellfields in the Platte River alluvial aquifer near Ashland, about 25 miles from the city — groundwater naturally filtered through sand and gravel, treated and pumped to Lincoln.
EPA Compliance Status
Meets all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards. The riverbank-filtered wellfield yields consistently high-quality raw water with a strong compliance record.
Notable Contaminants & Context
- •Nitrates from Nebraska's intensive agriculture are the state's signature groundwater concern; Lincoln's wellfield levels are monitored closely and remain within the federal limit
- •Trace agricultural chemicals (atrazine and similar) are monitored and compliant
- •Disinfection needs are modest for filtered groundwater, keeping byproducts low
How It Compares
Lincoln's riverbank-filtration wellfield gives it cleaner raw water than direct river intakes like Omaha's, though the 2019 Platte flooding that briefly threatened wellfield access pushed the city to add redundancy to its supply corridor.
Tips
- •The annual water quality report includes nitrate trend data
- •Private wells outside city limits should be tested for nitrates separately — a real rural Nebraska issue
- •No filter is needed for city water safety
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources & References
The safety rating and guidance on this page draw on the following sources. See our full methodology.
- •US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act regulations
- •EWG Tap Water Database
- •The utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR)
- •WHO Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality