Copper Contamination

Copper in Nebraska Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

1.865 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

195

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in Nebraska: what the data shows

Nebraska has 79 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 1.865 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 79 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

Nebraska

100%

79 of 79 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across Nebraska

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in Nebraska

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All Nebraska cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Shelton	4.500 mg/L	Yes	9	A-
2	Grand Island	3.670 mg/L	Yes	4	B
3	Tecumseh	3.440 mg/L	Yes	15	A-
4	Ashland	3.050 mg/L	Yes	8	B
5	Elmwood	2.840 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
6	Wilber	2.600 mg/L	Yes	4	A-
7	Beatrice	2.515 mg/L	Yes	15	A-
8	Norfolk	2.470 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
9	Seward	2.400 mg/L	Yes	25	A-
10	Firth	2.360 mg/L	Yes	9	B-
11	Wayne	2.354 mg/L	Yes	18	A-
12	Tilden	2.350 mg/L	Yes	13	A-
13	Stanton	2.320 mg/L	Yes	19	B+
14	Union	2.320 mg/L	Yes	23	B+
15	Newman Grove	2.300 mg/L	Yes	8	A-
16	Gering	2.271 mg/L	Yes	36	B+
17	York	2.220 mg/L	Yes	42	C-
18	Milford	2.200 mg/L	Yes	45	B
19	North Bend	2.100 mg/L	Yes	3	A-
20	Valparaiso	2.100 mg/L	Yes	3	A-
21	Stromsburg	2.080 mg/L	Yes	7	B
22	Fremont	2.050 mg/L	Yes	51	C+
23	Axtell	2.040 mg/L	Yes	28	B+
24	Eagle	1.990 mg/L	Yes	12	A-
25	Fullerton	1.970 mg/L	Yes	14	B+
26	Schuyler	1.965 mg/L	Yes	21	A-
27	West Point	1.950 mg/L	Yes	5	A-
28	De Witt	1.900 mg/L	Yes	8	A-
29	Wymore	1.833 mg/L	Yes	18	A-
30	South Sioux City	1.800 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
31	Hooper	1.800 mg/L	Yes	12	A-
32	Minatare	1.800 mg/L	Yes	41	A-
33	Battle Creek	1.790 mg/L	Yes	14	A
34	Kearney	1.780 mg/L	Yes	45	C+
35	Scottsbluff	1.713 mg/L	Yes	20	A-
36	Doniphan	1.700 mg/L	Yes	5	A-
37	Gretna	1.695 mg/L	Yes	30	C+
38	Springfield	1.675 mg/L	Yes	18	A
39	Waverly	1.670 mg/L	Yes	11	A-
40	Palmyra	1.660 mg/L	Yes	6	B+
41	Juniata	1.640 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
42	Sutton	1.630 mg/L	Yes	7	A-
43	Syracuse	1.620 mg/L	Yes	11	A
44	Lyons	1.620 mg/L	Yes	4	A-
45	Papillion	1.615 mg/L	Yes	17	C+
46	Mccook	1.610 mg/L	Yes	35	B-
47	Kenesaw	1.610 mg/L	Yes	12	A-
48	Howells	1.580 mg/L	Yes	23	B+
49	Dodge	1.575 mg/L	Yes	12	A-
50	Central City	1.570 mg/L	Yes	11	A-
51	Columbus	1.560 mg/L	Yes	75	F
52	Cedar Bluffs	1.560 mg/L	Yes	12	A-
53	Alda	1.552 mg/L	Yes	40	B
54	Omaha	1.550 mg/L	Yes	14	C-
55	Bridgeport	1.550 mg/L	Yes	30	A-
56	Albion	1.540 mg/L	Yes	16	B+
57	Fairmont	1.540 mg/L	Yes	4	A-
58	Plattsmouth	1.500 mg/L	Yes	2	B
59	Beemer	1.490 mg/L	Yes	30	B+
60	Louisville	1.480 mg/L	Yes	2	B
61	Wahoo	1.475 mg/L	Yes	15	B+
62	Hebron	1.450 mg/L	Yes	8	A-
63	Henderson	1.444 mg/L	Yes	32	B+
64	Hastings	1.440 mg/L	Yes	14	B-
65	Aurora	1.440 mg/L	Yes	8	A-
66	Deshler	1.440 mg/L	Yes	9	A-
67	St. Edward	1.430 mg/L	Yes	9	A-
68	Arapahoe	1.420 mg/L	Yes	19	A-
69	Wakefield	1.410 mg/L	Yes	7	B+
70	Scribner	1.400 mg/L	Yes	1	B+
71	Greenwood	1.400 mg/L	Yes	17	A-
72	Terrytown	1.392 mg/L	Yes	18	A-
73	Superior	1.380 mg/L	Yes	5	A
74	Harvard	1.380 mg/L	Yes	3	A
75	Osceola	1.380 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
76	Adams	1.380 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
77	Fairbury	1.360 mg/L	Yes	5	A-
78	Oakland	1.350 mg/L	Yes	5	B+
79	Osmond	1.350 mg/L	Yes	33	B+

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in Nebraska

Is copper in Nebraska drinking water safe?

79 cities in Nebraska exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 1.865 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in Nebraska tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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