Is Lincoln tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Lincoln's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

73/100
Purity Score
3
Issues Found
16.8 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Lincoln

Very Hard Water (16.8 GPG)

Hard water causes scale in pipes and shortens appliance lifespan.

Hardness data for Lincoln

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Lincoln

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.5 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Lincoln
Nebraska

685,016,850,268,503 · Groundwater and Salt Creek

Lincoln Water Hardness and Quality Report

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 292,657 residents
73
Purity Score

Water from Lincoln's Groundwater and Salt Creek supply carries notable mineral levels. This 2026 report covers hardness data, safety indicators, and filtration options matched to local conditions.

Health Insights

  • 1
    With a hardness of 16.8 GPG, Lincoln residents may notice white scale on faucets. Hard water increases maintenance costs.
  • 2
    Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Lincoln's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

73 /100
Moderate
"Good" threshold (70)

Lincoln tap water is sourced from Groundwater and Salt Creek and treated by Lincoln Water System. Water hardness is very hard at 16.8 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 590 ppm which is above the EPA secondary guideline of 500 ppm. Overall purity score: 73/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Lincoln's 3 issues.

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About Lincoln's Water

Lincoln Hard Water: Effects on Your Home

Hard water conditions in Lincoln (16.8 GPG) can leave white mineral deposits on fixtures, reduce soap lather, and gradually damage water-using appliances. Water heaters are particularly vulnerable: scale insulates the heating element, raising energy costs and reducing lifespan. A water softener exchanging calcium and magnesium for sodium eliminates scale formation throughout the home. For households concerned about sodium in drinking water, pairing a softener with an RO system at the kitchen tap is the standard approach.

Explore Lincoln Water Data

Lincoln Water FAQ

Is Lincoln NE tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Lincoln tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 73/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.
Does Lincoln NE use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Lincoln uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.4 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.
How hard is Lincoln NE water and what is the TDS level?
Lincoln water hardness is 16.8 grains per gallon (very hard) with a TDS of 590 ppm (unacceptable). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.
Has PFAS been found in Lincoln NE drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Lincoln drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Lincoln?
Based on Lincoln's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Lincoln has very hard water (16.8 GPG) and elevated chlorine. A whole-house carbon plus softener system handles both.

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Lincoln Water System CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

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