Is Clay Center, NE Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
93.5/100
waterverge.com Clay Center, NE — Water Quality Report
Clay Center's drinking water received a grade of A (93.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 730 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 10 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Clay Center's water
Clay Center ranks #29 out of 200 cities in Nebraska for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Clay Center relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Clay Center may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Clay Center, NE water safe to drink?
Clay Center's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 730 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Clay Center
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Clay Center's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.5/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4420). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3245). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Clay Center's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Clay Center's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Clay County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1967. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Clay Center's water come from?
Clay Center's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 730 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Clay Center residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Clay Center's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtClay County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Clay County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1967. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Clay Center compares by contaminant
Explore where Clay Center ranks among all Nebraska cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Clay Center's water comes from
Clay Center's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 730 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Clay Center
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CLAY CENTER, CITY OF | NE3103506 | 730 | GW |
How Clay Center compares
Full Nebraska rankings →Clay Center's score of 93.5/100 is above the average of 66/100 among major Nebraska cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Nebraska rankings →About Clay Center, NE
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Clay Center's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Clay
Frequently asked questions
Is Clay Center, NE tap water safe to drink?
Clay Center's water quality earned a grade of A (93.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #29 out of 200 cities tested in Nebraska.
What contaminants are in Clay Center's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.
How is Clay Center's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Clay Center?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Clay Center's water come from?
Clay Center's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 730 residents.
What health violations has Clay Center's water system had?
Clay Center has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 2015. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Clay Center's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Clay Center uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 10 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Clay Center's water compare to other cities?
Clay Center ranks #29 out of 200 cities in Nebraska (better than 86% of state cities) and #829 out of 15744 cities nationally (95th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Clay Center's small water system affect quality?
Clay Center's system serves approximately 730 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 10 violations on record.