Is Pawnee City, NE Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
92.1/100
waterverge.com Pawnee City, NE — Water Quality Report
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.
What to know about Pawnee City's water
Pawnee City ranks #45 out of 200 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.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Pawnee City, NE water safe to drink?
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).
Recent water quality updates for Pawnee City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Pawnee City's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92.1/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4420). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1902). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
2 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Pawnee City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Pawnee City's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Pawnee County has experienced 7 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 Pawnee City's water come from?
Pawnee City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 1,540 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Pawnee City 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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Pawnee City'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
Flood & disaster history
Pawnee County has experienced 7 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. | 4.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Pawnee City compares by contaminant
Explore where Pawnee City ranks among all Nebraska cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Pawnee City's water comes from
Pawnee City'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 1,540 people through 2 water systems.
Water systems serving Pawnee City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PAWNEE CO RWD #1 | NE3113304 | 1,500 | GW |
| PAWNEE CO RWD #2 | NE3121445 | 40 | GWP |
How Pawnee City compares
Full Nebraska rankings →Pawnee City's score of 92.1/100 is above the average of 66/100 among major Nebraska cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Nebraska rankings →About Pawnee City, NE
Wikipedia →Pawnee City is a city in and the county seat of Pawnee County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2020 census, Pawnee City had a population of 865.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Pawnee City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Pawnee
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 200 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 200 cities in Nebraska (better than 78% of state cities) and #1371 out of 15744 cities nationally (91th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.