Is Fort Calhoun, NE Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Fort Calhoun ranks. What to do next ↓
95.6/100
waterverge.com Fort Calhoun, NE — Water Quality Report
Fort Calhoun's drinking water received a grade of A+ (95.6 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,010 residents using purchased surface water.
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 4 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
What to know about Fort Calhoun's water
Fort Calhoun ranks #11 out of 200 cities in Nebraska for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Fort Calhoun may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Fort Calhoun, NE water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Fort Calhoun's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (95.6/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,010 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Fort Calhoun
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Fort Calhoun's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (95.6/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4420). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4013). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Fort Calhoun's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Fort Calhoun's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Washington County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1971. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Big Papillion Creek At Fort Street At Omaha, Nebr., Thomas Creek Near Bennington, Nebr., Little Papillion Creek At Irvington, Nebr..
Where does Fort Calhoun's water come from?
Fort Calhoun's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,010 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Big Papillion Creek At Fort Street At Omaha, Nebr. (river), Thomas Creek Near Bennington, Nebr. (river), Little Papillion Creek At Irvington, Nebr. (river).
What Fort Calhoun 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.
Fort Calhoun'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Fort Calhoun
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Fort Calhoun, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 174,405 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CARGILL CORN MILLING NORTH AMERICA BLAIR, NE680082649 | Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution) | 174,400 | 6.7 mi |
NOVOZYMES BLAIR INC BLAIR, NE68008 | Ammonia | 5 | 7.6 mi |
GERHOLD CONCRETE CO BLAIR PLANT BLAIR, NE68008 | Lead | 0 | 7.5 mi |
EVONIK CORP BLAIR, NE68008 | — | — | 6.7 mi |
PURAC AMERICA INC. BLAIR, NE68008 | — | — | 6.7 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtWashington County is currently in D1 (moderate 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
Washington County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1971. 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 Fort Calhoun compares by contaminant
Explore where Fort Calhoun ranks among all Nebraska cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Fort Calhoun's water comes from
Fort Calhoun's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,010 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Fort Calhoun
Fort Calhoun is located near 3 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Fort Calhoun
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORT CALHOUN, CITY OF | NE3117907 | 1,010 | SWP |
How Fort Calhoun compares
Full Nebraska rankings →Fort Calhoun's score of 95.6/100 is above the average of 66/100 among major Nebraska cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Nebraska rankings →About Fort Calhoun, NE
Wikipedia →Fort Calhoun is a city in Washington County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 1,108 at the 2020 census. The city includes Fort Atkinson, the first fort built west of the Missouri River.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Fort Calhoun's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Washington
Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Calhoun, NE tap water safe to drink?
Fort Calhoun's water quality earned a grade of A+ (95.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #11 out of 200 cities tested in Nebraska.
What contaminants are in Fort Calhoun's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is Fort Calhoun'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 Fort Calhoun?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fort Calhoun's water come from?
Fort Calhoun's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,010 residents.
What health violations has Fort Calhoun's water system had?
Fort Calhoun has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2012. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
How does Fort Calhoun's water compare to other cities?
Fort Calhoun ranks #11 out of 200 cities in Nebraska (better than 95% of state cities) and #298 out of 15744 cities nationally (98th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Fort Calhoun's small water system affect quality?
Fort Calhoun's system serves approximately 1,010 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 4 violations on record.