01The verdict: is Harvard water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Harvard's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (92.5/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.38 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.6 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
5 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Harvard's drinking water received a grade of A (92.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,000 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.6 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 5 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Harvard ranks #40 out of 196 cities in Nebraska for water quality, placing it above average in the state. Harvard 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, Harvard may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Harvard's water
Every contaminant flagged in Harvard, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 1.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.38 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Nebraska
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Nebraska
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Harvard's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 5 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Harvard.
▲ Up 0.08 ppb since 2004. Latest reading: 1.6 ppb (2024) — 11% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▼ Down 1.6 mg/L since 1993. The latest reading (1.4 mg/L, 2022) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Harvard's water comes from
Harvard's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,000 people
Residents served across Harvard's service area.
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 1,000 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HARVARD, CITY OF | NE3103502 | 1,000 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Harvard's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
5 federal disaster declarations on record for Clay County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Clay County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Harvard compares
Scores for nearby Nebraska cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Nebraska average (66/100)
Harvard scores 92.5/100 — above the Nebraska average of 66/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Nebraska rankings →
56.5 / 100CLincoln, NE
56.5 / 100BGrand Island, NE
78.6 / 100CPapillion, NE
68 / 100CKearney, NE
70 / 100CFremont, NE
67 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Harvard's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Harvard alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Harvard, NE tap water safe to drink?
Harvard's water quality earned a grade of A (92.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #40 out of 196 cities tested in Nebraska.
What contaminants are in Harvard's water?
Lead was measured at 1.6 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is Harvard'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 Harvard?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Harvard's water come from?
Harvard's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,000 residents.
What health violations has Harvard's water system had?
Harvard has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in February 2013. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. All health violations have been resolved.
Is Harvard's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Harvard 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 5 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 Harvard's water compare to other cities?
Harvard ranks #40 out of 196 cities in Nebraska (better than 80% of state cities) and #1221 out of 15382 cities nationally (92th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Harvard's small water system affect quality?
Harvard's system serves approximately 1,000 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 5 violations on record.