Omaha Water Quality Explained: Where Does It Come From and Is It Safe?

Where Does Omaha, Nebraska’s Drinking Water Come From?

Omaha, Nebraska’s drinking water comes from both surface water and groundwater sources. According to the 2023 Omaha water quality report, its surface water comes from the Missouri River, while its groundwater comes from the Dakota Aquifer. 

It also relies on groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, in this case water that comes “indirectly” from the Platte River. 

Omaha’s water is provided by the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD), which supplies up to 90 million gallons per day to over 600,000 residents.

How Clean Is Omaha’s Water Supply?

A source water assessment conducted by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality assessed the vulnerability of Nebraska’s water sources based on the “existence of potential contaminants within a 1,000-foot radius.” These potential risks include “tanks, private wells, livestock operations, lagoons, [and] grain bins.” 

It found that the Missouri River was inherently vulnerable as a surface water source, while most public wells in the Platte River well field were also vulnerable due to their proximity to surface water systems. 

Municipal water systems that rely on surface water face a higher risk of pollution from agricultural runoff, such as herbicides and pesticides, while groundwater sources are more likely to contain naturally occurring water contaminants, such as arsenic. 

Omaha water quality is also impacted by stormwater runoff when it rains, which can introduce bacteria that cause waterborne diseases.

How Does Omaha Protect Its Water Sources?

The government is taking several steps to improve Omaha water quality. One of the most important components is to separate its sewage and stormwater systems to prevent overflows. 

Other projects include the Saddle Creek Retention Treatment Basin, which includes a 3-million-gallon underground facility for collecting and treating wastewater. Mayor Jean Stothert says the city has already spent around $1 billion since its water improvement program began in 2014, and it plans to spend $1 billion more. 

Residents with questions about source water protection can visit Clean Solutions for Omaha (CSO), an initiative by the City of Omaha Public Works Department. For more information about specific projects, check out the project guide and interactive map at Keep It Current, another resource from the Omaha Public Works Department.

How Is Omaha’s Drinking Water Treated?

Omaha’s drinking water is processed at one of three water treatment plants: Florence, Platte West, and Platte South. The treatment process includes the following steps. 

●      Sedimentation: The first step removes silt and other sediment by allowing it to settle to the bottom of the treatment basin.

●      Clarification: Next, the water is clarified to reduce its mineral content.

●      Disinfection: The water is disinfected with chloramine, a mix of chlorine and ammonia that kills bacteria and other pathogens.

●      Filtration: Finally, the water is filtered to remove additional particles. 

According to Omaha’s 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, chloraminated water is safe for humans and animals to drink. However, “fish tank, aquarium, and pond owners need to use filtration equipment or water treatment products to neutralize chloramines.”

How Is Omaha Water Quality Tested?

The Municipal Utilities District conducts over 1,000 water quality tests per day in order to meet the requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA.gov) and the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE.NE.gov). 

These include tests for both regulated and unregulated contaminants that may pose a threat to public health, including lead, copper, and chromium. MUD releases an annual Omaha water quality report each year in English and in Spanish, and it publishes the results for each of its three water treatment plants on a monthly basis. 

One of the tests that MUD runs is to check for a parasite called cryptosporidium, which can cause serious health effects. In 2023, it was detected in Omaha’s source water but not in its tap water, suggesting its treatment process is effective at removing it.

Which Contaminants Are Found in Omaha’s Tap Water?

Omaha’s drinking water is treated to meet state and federal guidelines, but some health organizations, such as the Environmental Working Group (EWG), propose stricter limits for some contaminants. Here are five contaminants to look out for in Omaha based on water quality data from the latest Consumer Confidence Report:

1. Arsenic

Arsenic is a naturally occurring substance that can cause arsenic toxicity when it builds up in the body over time. Arsenic is prevalent in some groundwater systems in the U.S., including in Nebraska. Although Omaha’s arsenic levels are below the EPA’s limit, they exceed the EWG’s recommendation by 805 times. 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 10 parts per billion (ppb)

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.004 ppb

●      Omaha maximum contaminant level: 3.22 ppb

2. Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) are a group of disinfection byproducts that are formed when chemical disinfectants are added to the tap water. High levels of these contaminants are associated with an increased risk of cancer and harm to fetal development. 

Omaha’s tap water meets federal guidelines for HAA5, but it exceeds the EWG’s recommended levels by 75 times. 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 60 ppb

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.1 ppb

●      Omaha maximum contaminant level: 7.50 ppb

3. Nitrate

Nitrate is associated with serious health effects, including an increased risk of cancer. According to reports, “Pediatric cancer is more common in Nebraska than anywhere in the United States outside of the Northeast. And elevated numbers of pediatric cancer cases are associated with Nebraska watersheds that have high levels of nitrate (a fertilizer) or atrazine (a weed killer) in surface and groundwater.” 

Although nitrate levels in Omaha are below the legal limit, residents may still want to choose a home water filter that’s certified to remove nitrate from their tap water. 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 10 parts per million (ppm)

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.14 ppm

●      Omaha maximum contaminant level: 0.0633 ppm

4. Radium

Radium is a radioactive contaminant found in some groundwater systems that can cause bone cancer and radiation sickness at high levels of exposure. Omaha’s water contains 0.29 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is below the legal limit but 5.8 times higher than the EWG’s recommended maximum. 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 5 pCi/L

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.05 pCi/L

●      Omaha maximum detected level: 0.29 pCi/L

5. Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) are a group of four disinfection byproducts that can increase the risk of skin and bladder cancer over time. These are: 

●      Chloroform

●      Bromodichloromethane

●      Dibromochloromethane

●      Bromoform

 Omaha’s TTHM levels are within the EPA’s maximum but 144 times higher than the EWG’s recommended levels of exposure. 

●      EPA maximum allowance: 80 ppb

●      EWG recommended maximum: 0.15 ppb

●      Omaha maximum contaminant level: 21.6 ppb

Can Water Filters Improve Omaha Water Quality?

Home water filters can significantly reduce levels of contaminants in your tap water — but it’s important to choose a filter that’s the right fit for Omaha water quality. Activated carbon filters are effective at removing disinfection byproducts, while reverse osmosis filters are a better choice if you want to remove radium and arsenic. 

You can choose an under-counter water filter to filter the water before it comes out of your faucet or a whole-home water filtration system if you want to filter your bathwater, too. 

Consider testing your tap water to find out what’s in it, or take our water filter quiz to learn more about your options and get 10% off your first order

Does Omaha’s Tap Water Contain Lead?

According to Omaha’s water quality report, there’s no lead detected in the water when it leaves the treatment plant, but it can pick up lead from service lines along the way. 

Nebraska Public Media reports that up to 12,500 customers get their water through lead pipes in Omaha, and that there are at least 2,200 lead pipes remaining in Lincoln. 

Although replacing private service lines is usually the homeowner’s responsibility, MUD is working to replace all lead service lines within 10 years. 

You can visit http://mudomaha.com/lead to look up your address and find out if it has a lead service line — or contact MUD at lead@mudnebr.com or 402-504-7029. If your service line was installed before 1940, you can request a free lead test from MUD.

Does Omaha’s Tap Water Contain Fluoride?

Yes, Omaha’s tap water contains a mix of naturally occuring fluoride as well as added fluoride to promote dental health. In 1968, residents of Omaha voted to approve water fluoridation, while the Nebraska Unicameral passed a bill in 2008 to mandate it in all cities and towns with more than 1,000 people. 

Omaha’s water sources contain 0.3 to 0.5 ppm of naturally-occurring fluoride. MUD increases this level to 0.7 ppm, keeping it well below the EPA’s maximum.

Is Omaha’s Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Omaha’s tap water complies with state and federal guidelines, but some contaminant levels exceed the recommendations of public health organizations. Omaha residents who want to reduce their exposure to herbicides, pesticides, arsenic, lead, and other contaminants can install a water filter at home.