Omaha – Nebraska – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
The Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.) operates Omaha’s water system, serving over 600,000 residents in the greater Omaha metropolitan area. Established in 1913, this public utility manages approximately 2,900 miles of water mains and three water treatment plants with a combined capacity of 300 million gallons per day. The system represents a blend of historical infrastructure and modern technology, featuring advanced treatment processes alongside continual pipeline renewal programs.
Omaha draws its drinking water primarily from the Missouri River, supplemented by the Platte River during peak demand periods. Additionally, groundwater from the Platte River alluvial aquifer serves as an important secondary source. Despite challenges with agricultural runoff and industrial activities in the watershed, M.U.D. implements robust multi-barrier treatment approaches and source water protection partnerships with upstream communities and agricultural stakeholders. The utility has earned recognition for operational excellence while maintaining affordable rates through efficient management and strategic infrastructure investment.
Omaha Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: Most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 5.2 parts per billion (ppb), significantly below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, reflecting the success of corrosion control measures and lead service line replacement efforts.
- Testing Scope: M.U.D. conducts more than 60,000 water quality tests annually throughout the distribution system, including comprehensive monitoring for over 100 regulated and unregulated contaminants.
- Compliance Status: Omaha’s water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards, with zero water quality violations in the past five years.
Missouri River Source Water
- Primary Source: The Missouri River provides approximately 85% of Omaha’s drinking water supply, with water drawn from intakes at the Florence Water Treatment Plant.
- Secondary Sources: The Platte River and its alluvial aquifer supply the remaining 15%, providing important redundancy during flood events or drought conditions.
- Source Water Protection: M.U.D. participates in the Missouri River Watershed Coalition, working with upstream communities and agricultural stakeholders to reduce contaminants entering the river through collaborative runoff management and pollution prevention programs.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Multi-Barrier Approach: Florence, Platte West, and Platte South treatment plants utilize multiple treatment processes including pre-sedimentation, coagulation, flocculation, clarification, granular activated carbon filtration, and disinfection.
- Enhanced Disinfection: UV disinfection at the Florence plant provides additional protection against Cryptosporidium and other chlorine-resistant pathogens.
- Corrosion Control: Optimized zinc orthophosphate treatment prevents lead and copper leaching from household plumbing, with real-time monitoring of water chemistry throughout the distribution system.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Pipeline Replacement: Annual replacement of approximately 15 miles of aging water mains, with prioritization based on leak history, pipe material, and strategic system improvements.
- Lead Service Line Program: Proactive replacement of all customer-owned and utility-owned lead service lines, with over 12,000 lines replaced since 2016 and a target completion date of 2030.
- Resilience Improvements: Integration of advanced metering infrastructure, pressure zone optimization, and backup power systems to ensure reliable water delivery during extreme weather events and emergencies.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Omaha’s M.U.D. demonstrates exceptional commitment to customer welfare through comprehensive assistance programs, including water hardship funds for low-income residents and expanded payment arrangement options. Their proactive lead education campaign includes free testing kits and accessible online resources explaining water quality fundamentals. The utility prioritizes environmental justice by targeting infrastructure improvements in historically underserved neighborhoods and offering specialized programs for disadvantaged communities. M.U.D.’s transparency initiatives include real-time water quality monitoring data available through their mobile app and interactive water quality maps. These community-focused approaches, combined with cutting-edge treatment technology, ensure safe, reliable water service for Nebraska’s largest metropolitan area.
Recommendations for Omaha Residents
Request Free Testing
Contact M.U.D. Customer Service at (402) 554-6666 or visit mudomaha.com/water-quality to request a free water quality test kit, especially if your home was built before 1986 or you suspect lead pipes.
Check Service Line Status
Use M.U.D.’s online Lead Service Line Inventory Map to see if your property has a lead service line. If confirmed, enroll in the Lead Service Line Replacement Program for potential no-cost replacement.
Consider Certified Filters
For homes with confirmed lead service lines, use NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for drinking and cooking water. M.U.D. offers vouchers for eligible households to receive free filter pitchers and replacement cartridges.
Flush Your Water
If water has been sitting unused for 6+ hours, run cold water for 2-3 minutes before using for drinking or cooking. This is especially important for homes with lead service lines or older plumbing. Always use cold water for consumption, as hot water may contain higher levels of metals.
Report Issues Promptly
Use the M.U.D. mobile app or call the 24-hour emergency line at (402) 554-7777 to report water main breaks, pressure problems, or unusual water quality concerns. For non-emergencies, contact Customer Service at (402) 554-6666 during business hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Omaha’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Omaha’s tap water is safe to drink and consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state water quality standards. The Metropolitan Utilities District (M.U.D.) employs a multi-barrier treatment approach that includes modern filtration technologies and UV disinfection to ensure water safety.
Lead levels in Omaha’s water are well below EPA action levels, with recent testing showing 90th percentile values of just 5.2 ppb (compared to the EPA limit of 15 ppb). While Omaha’s source water quality faces challenges from agricultural runoff and urban pollutants, the advanced treatment processes effectively remove contaminants before distribution. Residents with lead service lines or very old plumbing should consider additional precautions such as flushing pipes and using certified filters.
Why is Omaha water sometimes hard?
Omaha’s water is considered moderately hard to hard, typically measuring between 7-10 grains per gallon (120-170 mg/L) of hardness. This is due to natural minerals in our source water, primarily calcium and magnesium.
Hardness levels vary seasonally, with higher hardness during low river flow periods and lower hardness during spring runoff. While hard water is completely safe to drink, you might notice:
• Scale buildup on plumbing fixtures and appliances
• Reduced effectiveness of soaps and detergents
• White residue on glassware after washing
Many Omaha residents choose to install water softeners for these aesthetic reasons, though M.U.D. does not soften water during treatment as the minerals pose no health concern and some customers prefer the mineral content for taste.
How does Omaha treat water from the Missouri River?
M.U.D. employs a comprehensive multi-stage treatment process at its Florence Water Treatment Plant to transform Missouri River water into safe drinking water:
• Pre-treatment: Screens remove large debris while pre-sedimentation basins allow heavy particles to settle
• Coagulation/Flocculation: Chemical additives cause small particles to clump together for easier removal
• Clarification: Settling basins remove flocculated particles
• Filtration: Granular activated carbon filters remove remaining particles and organic compounds, including pesticides and taste/odor compounds
• UV Disinfection: Ultraviolet light inactivates Cryptosporidium and other chlorine-resistant pathogens
• Chemical Disinfection: Chlorine provides continued protection throughout the distribution system
• Corrosion Control: Zinc orthophosphate prevents lead and copper leaching from pipes
This process effectively addresses the unique challenges of Missouri River water, including seasonal turbidity changes and agricultural contaminants.
Does Omaha add fluoride to the water?
Yes, M.U.D. adds fluoride to Omaha’s drinking water as required by Nebraska state law. Key facts about fluoridation in Omaha:
Fluoride Levels:
• Natural fluoride in Missouri River source water: 0.2-0.4 ppm
• Target fluoride level after adjustment: 0.7 ppm
• Nebraska legal requirement range: 0.7-1.5 ppm
Monitoring:
• Daily testing at treatment plants
• Monthly testing throughout distribution system
Health Considerations:
• Supports dental health at recommended levels
• Endorsed by American Dental Association, CDC, and WHO
Customers who prefer unfluoridated water can use home filtration systems with activated alumina or reverse osmosis technology, which effectively remove fluoride.
Contaminants of Concern
Agricultural Contaminants
Source: Fertilizer and pesticide runoff from agricultural activities upstream in the Missouri River watershed; seasonal variation with higher levels after spring planting and rainfall events
Health Effects: Potential concerns include hormone disruption, developmental effects, and possible links to certain cancers with long-term exposure to elevated levels
Current Status: Effectively removed through activated carbon filtration; all monitored pesticides and nitrates consistently below EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels
Lead and Copper
Source: Primarily from household plumbing and service lines, especially in homes built before 1986; Omaha has approximately 14,000 lead service lines remaining (down from 26,000 in 2016)
Health Effects: Lead can cause developmental delays, learning disabilities, and kidney problems, particularly in children; copper can cause gastrointestinal distress and liver damage at high levels
Current Levels: 90th percentile lead value of 5.2 ppb (EPA action level is 15 ppb); 90th percentile copper value of 0.14 ppm (EPA action level is 1.3 ppm)
Please read – our information
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