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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 68176 Water Quality & Testing Report

Omaha, NE · Douglas County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 68176 (Omaha, NE)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 68176 (Omaha, NE) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (41/100) due to 1 health violation(s) and 12.3 ppb lead. While treated by Metropolitan Utilities District, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

1

Total Violations

12

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

1

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 68176

Tap water in ZIP code 68176 (Omaha, NE) is distributed by Metropolitan Utilities District (EPA ID: NE3105507), serving approximately 660,000 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 41/100.

Water System

Metropolitan Utilities District

EPA ID: NE3105507

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

660,000 residents

County

Douglas County County, Nebraska

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Lead Levels in ZIP 68176

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 12.3 ppb — Moderate

The 90th percentile lead level in 68176 is 12.3 ppb. This is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, but above ideal health goals. Consider a certified lead-reducing filter.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
12.30 ppb (0.0123 mg/L)
Lead (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

7.6 ppb
Copper (Consumer Confidence Report)

From annual CCR filing

0 ppb
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard10.8 GPG · 184 mg/L

Water in ZIP 68176 is Very Hard (184 mg/L / 10.8 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

10.8 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

184 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Metropolitan Utilities District · PWSID: NE3105507

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Metropolitan Utilities District has recorded 1 health-based violation out of 12 total violations over the past 5 years. 2 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
12
Health-Based Violations
1
Unresolved Violations
2
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Arsenic.

Arsenic

From Consumer Confidence Report:

Lead (7.59 ppb); Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) (47.5 ppb)

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 8 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
CCR Source Classification
Surface water (Missouri River), groundwater under-the-direct-influence of surface water (Platte River), and groundwater (Dakota sandstone aquifer)
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 68176

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 68176 served by Metropolitan Utilities District can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in NE for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 68176 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact Metropolitan Utilities District to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
⚗️

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 68176 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 68176?+
Tap water in 68176 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 68176 (Omaha, NE)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 68176, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in NE. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 68176?+
Tap water in 68176 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 184 mg/L (10.8 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 68176?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 68176 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 68176 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 68176 is 12.3 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 68176?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 68176. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 68176?+
Tap water in ZIP code 68176 is provided by Metropolitan Utilities District (EPA ID: NE3105507), serving approximately 660,000 residents.
What water filter should I use in 68176?+
Based on water metrics for 68176, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 58 (Reverse Osmosis), NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead & VOCs), NSF/ANSI P473 (PFAS/PFOS).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 68176 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Metropolitan Utilities District. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →