Nebraska well water by county: arsenic and nitrate
Modelled arsenic and nitrate for private-well users in every Nebraska county, what to test for, and where to find a certified lab. Private wells aren’t covered by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
All 93 counties
- Lancaster CountyWell users 15,900Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 0.5 mg/L
- Lincoln CountyWell users 9,000Arsenic about 7 in 100Nitrate 1.6 mg/L
- Hall CountyWell users 8,100Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 2.9 mg/L
- Scotts Bluff CountyWell users 7,800Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 5.1 mg/L
- Buffalo CountyWell users 7,200Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 3.3 mg/L
- Washington CountyWell users 6,900Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 0.3 mg/L
- Platte CountyWell users 6,800Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 2.6 mg/L
- Douglas CountyWell users 6,700Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 0.2 mg/L
- Saunders CountyWell users 6,600Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 0.7 mg/L
- Sarpy CountyWell users 6,400Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 1.7 mg/L
- Gage CountyWell users 5,100Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 0.9 mg/L
- Dodge CountyWell users 4,800Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 1.0 mg/L
- Holt CountyWell users 4,500Arsenic about 6 in 100Nitrate 3.2 mg/L
- Madison CountyWell users 4,300Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 3.0 mg/L
- Seward CountyWell users 4,300Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 2.9 mg/L
- Cass CountyWell users 4,300Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 1.4 mg/L
- Dawson CountyWell users 4,300Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 1.7 mg/L
- Adams CountyWell users 4,000Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 3.8 mg/L
- Custer CountyWell users 3,700Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 2.0 mg/L
- Merrick CountyWell users 3,500Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 5.5 mg/L
- York CountyWell users 3,400Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 4.7 mg/L
- Cedar CountyWell users 3,200Arsenic about 2 in 100Nitrate 3.5 mg/L
- Pierce CountyWell users 3,200Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 3.8 mg/L
- Butler CountyWell users 3,200Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 3.0 mg/L
- Saline CountyWell users 3,100Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 1.8 mg/L
- Hamilton CountyWell users 2,900Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 2.6 mg/L
- Keith CountyWell users 2,900Arsenic about 11 in 100Nitrate 1.9 mg/L
- Colfax CountyWell users 2,800Arsenic about 6 in 100Nitrate 1.9 mg/L
- Howard CountyWell users 2,700Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 4.0 mg/L
- Knox CountyWell users 2,700Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 2.2 mg/L
- Antelope CountyWell users 2,600Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 3.9 mg/L
- Cherry CountyWell users 2,300Arsenic about 8 in 100Nitrate 0.9 mg/L
- Cuming CountyWell users 2,300Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 2.6 mg/L
- Wayne CountyWell users 2,300Arsenic about 2 in 100Nitrate 2.6 mg/L
- Sheridan CountyWell users 2,300Arsenic about 11 in 100Nitrate 2.0 mg/L
- Polk CountyWell users 2,200Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 5.3 mg/L
- Dawes CountyWell users 2,200Arsenic about 7 in 100Nitrate 1.7 mg/L
- Stanton CountyWell users 2,200Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 2.5 mg/L
- Dakota CountyWell users 2,100Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 1.0 mg/L
- Kearney CountyWell users 2,100Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 4.8 mg/L
- Dixon CountyWell users 2,100Arsenic about 2 in 100Nitrate 2.5 mg/L
- Boone CountyWell users 2,100Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 3.1 mg/L
- Phelps CountyWell users 2,000Arsenic about 6 in 100Nitrate 3.8 mg/L
- Burt CountyWell users 1,900Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 0.6 mg/L
- Morrill CountyWell users 1,900Arsenic about 9 in 100Nitrate 3.2 mg/L
- Box Butte CountyWell users 1,800Arsenic about 8 in 100Nitrate 3.3 mg/L
- Nuckolls CountyWell users 1,800Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 5.0 mg/L
- Red Willow CountyWell users 1,700Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 6.8 mg/L
- Cheyenne CountyWell users 1,700Arsenic about 6 in 100Nitrate 3.7 mg/L
- Jefferson CountyWell users 1,600Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 1.7 mg/L
- Fillmore CountyWell users 1,500Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 1.1 mg/L
- Clay CountyWell users 1,500Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 3.2 mg/L
- Otoe CountyWell users 1,500Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 1.0 mg/L
- Thurston CountyWell users 1,400Arsenic about 2 in 100Nitrate 1.5 mg/L
- Valley CountyWell users 1,300Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 2.9 mg/L
- Richardson CountyWell users 1,300Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 2.1 mg/L
- Sherman CountyWell users 1,200Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 2.8 mg/L
- Chase CountyWell users 1,200Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 4.9 mg/L
- Webster CountyWell users 1,200Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 5.6 mg/L
- Furnas CountyWell users 1,200Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 5.1 mg/L
- Thayer CountyWell users 1,100Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 2.5 mg/L
- Nance CountyWell users 1,100Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 4.3 mg/L
- Perkins CountyWell users 1,100Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 3.7 mg/L
- Harlan CountyWell users 1,000Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 5.2 mg/L
- Brown CountyWell users 1,000Arsenic about 11 in 100Nitrate 1.2 mg/L
- Garden CountyWell users 1,000Arsenic about 20 in 100Nitrate 1.4 mg/L
- Hitchcock CountyWell users 980Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 4.9 mg/L
- Gosper CountyWell users 970Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 3.9 mg/L
- Johnson CountyWell users 950Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 0.5 mg/L
- Frontier CountyWell users 940Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 3.5 mg/L
- Sioux CountyWell users 920Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 1.7 mg/L
- Franklin CountyWell users 850Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 3.8 mg/L
- Greeley CountyWell users 850Arsenic about 6 in 100Nitrate 2.1 mg/L
- Nemaha CountyWell users 840Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 3.0 mg/L
- Dundy CountyWell users 800Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 6.2 mg/L
- Kimball CountyWell users 780Arsenic about 6 in 100Nitrate 1.9 mg/L
- Garfield CountyWell users 750Arsenic about 12 in 100Nitrate 0.8 mg/L
- Rock CountyWell users 740Arsenic about 11 in 100Nitrate 1.1 mg/L
- Hayes CountyWell users 730Arsenic about 4 in 100Nitrate 3.9 mg/L
- Banner CountyWell users 620Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 2.7 mg/L
- Loup CountyWell users 590Arsenic about 13 in 100Nitrate 0.7 mg/L
- Wheeler CountyWell users 550Arsenic about 12 in 100Nitrate 1.9 mg/L
- Keya Paha CountyWell users 520Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 3.5 mg/L
- McPherson CountyWell users 510Arsenic about 15 in 100Nitrate 0.4 mg/L
- Deuel CountyWell users 490Arsenic about 5 in 100Nitrate 3.8 mg/L
- Arthur CountyWell users 450Arsenic about 23 in 100Nitrate 0.4 mg/L
- Thomas CountyWell users 440Arsenic about 14 in 100Nitrate 0.5 mg/L
- Pawnee CountyWell users 430Arsenic about 3 in 100Nitrate 1.3 mg/L
- Boyd CountyWell users 430Arsenic about 2 in 100Nitrate 2.3 mg/L
- Logan CountyWell users 390Arsenic about 10 in 100Nitrate 1.0 mg/L
- Grant CountyWell users 370Arsenic about 22 in 100Nitrate 0.7 mg/L
- Blaine CountyWell users 360Arsenic about 11 in 100Nitrate 0.8 mg/L
- Hooker CountyWell users 160Arsenic about 15 in 100Nitrate 0.4 mg/L
Each mark = 1 in 100 well users the model places above 10 µg/L arsenic (scale 0–10)10 mg/L nitrate: the federal limit (MCL) for public systems
- These figures describe the area, not your well. Only a lab test shows what’s in your water.
- CDC says the Well Water Index figures “do not describe risk to individual wells.” (CDC Tracking Network)
- The arsenic model is better at spotting low-arsenic areas than at confirming high ones.
- Well-user counts are 2010 USGS estimates; tract values are averages over each census tract.
- Total coliform bacteriaEvery year
- NitrateEvery year
- Total dissolved solidsEvery year
- pHEvery year
- ArsenicAsk your local health department
EPA: Private Drinking Water Wells · CDC: Guidelines for Testing Well Water
Use a state-certified lab
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services lists the laboratories certified to test drinking water in Nebraska.
Screening tells you if something is worth a closer look
A lab result is the number you can act on.
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Lab-certified results
ETR Labs Basic Water Quality Test Kit
ETR Laboratories
50+ substances, including lead, copper, arsenic, nitrate, hardness and coliform bacteria
- Analyzed by Environmental Testing and Research Laboratories (ETR Labs), Leominster, MA · ISO/IEC 17025:2017, ANAB certificate AT-2638
- Turnaround: 2–4 business days after the lab receives it
What it can't tell you: It does not test PFAS, and not every result on the panel falls under the lab's accredited scope.
Screening: quick check, not lab-grade
Watersafe Drinking Water Test Kit
Silver Lake Research
Lead, bacteria, nitrate, copper, iron, chlorine, hardness and pH
- Turnaround: Minutes; the bacteria test can take up to 48 hours
What it can't tell you: Each test gives a yes/no or a rough range, not a lab number, and it cannot detect PFAS or arsenic.
A mail-in kit’s lab is accredited (ISO/IEC 17025) but may not be certified by your state. For a home sale, a loan, or a health-department follow-up, use a state-certified lab.
Nebraska well water
Sources: CDC Well Water Index (2024) · USGS arsenic and nitrate models · USGS domestic well populations · EPA and CDC testing guidance. Data last updated 2026-10-08. All sources →
How many people use private wells in Nebraska?
About 232,500 people across 93 Nebraska counties, by the USGS 2010 estimate. USGS models place about 11,000 of them in areas where wells are likely to be above the 10 µg/L arsenic limit. These are area estimates, not well results.
Are private wells regulated in Nebraska?
The quality and safety of drinking water from private domestic wells are not regulated by the Federal Government under the Safe Drinking Water Act nor by most state governments and laws. (EPA) Testing and treatment are the owner's responsibility.
Where can I get my well tested in Nebraska?
Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services keeps the list of laboratories certified to test drinking water in Nebraska. Only use laboratories that are certified to do drinking water testing. (EPA)