01The verdict: is Pawnee City water safe?
Pawnee City's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (92.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,540 residents using groundwater (wells).
1 unresolved violation on record
EPA records show an open compliance item for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
7 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Pawnee City's drinking water received a grade of A (92.1 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,540 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.1 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 4 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
Pawnee City ranks #45 out of 196 cities in Nebraska for water quality, placing it above average in the state. Pawnee City 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, Pawnee City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Pawnee City's water
Every contaminant flagged in Pawnee City, 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.
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. | 4.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
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
03Pawnee City'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 4 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Pawnee City.
▲ Up 1.8 ppb since 2004. Latest reading: 4.1 ppb (2024) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Pawnee City's water comes from
Pawnee City'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.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,540 people
Residents served across Pawnee City'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 1,540 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAWNEE CO RWD #1 | NE3113304 | 1,500 | Groundwater |
| PAWNEE CO RWD #2 | NE3121445 | 40 | Purchased Groundwater |
05Pressure on Pawnee City'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
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Pawnee County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Pawnee City compares
Scores for nearby Nebraska cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Nebraska average (66/100)
Pawnee City scores 92.1/100 — 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 Pawnee City's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Pawnee City's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Pawnee City 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 Pawnee City, NE tap water safe to drink?
Pawnee City's water quality earned a grade of A (92.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #45 out of 196 cities tested in Nebraska.
What contaminants are in Pawnee City's water?
Lead was measured at 4.1 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is Pawnee City'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 Pawnee City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Pawnee City's water come from?
Pawnee City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,540 residents.
What health violations has Pawnee City's water system had?
Pawnee City has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2000. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Pawnee City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Pawnee City 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 Pawnee City's water compare to other cities?
Pawnee City ranks #45 out of 196 cities in Nebraska (better than 77% of state cities) and #1363 out of 15382 cities nationally (91th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.