Tap Water Results

Is Kearney, NE tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for City of Kearney.

8 public water systems serve parts of Kearney. The largest, City of Kearney, serves 34,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

City of Kearney

34,000 people · Groundwater under influence of surface water · EPA ID NE3101906

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 5.48 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Across Nebraska, 3 of 51 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 7 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Nebraska results.

Kearney homes and lead pipes

47%
of homes built before 1980 (Nebraska 57%, US 50%)
14%
built before 1950 (Nebraska 23%)
39%
of households rent (Nebraska 34%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Kearney city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Kearney

  • Buffalo County Sid 3 – Glenwood Estates
    400 people · Groundwater · Nebraska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Sunset View Mobile Home Park Water System
    200 people · Groundwater · Nebraska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Riverside Mobile Home Park Water System
    122 people · Groundwater · Nebraska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • West Side Trailer Court Water System
    100 people · Groundwater · Nebraska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Clearview Utilities Corp
    69 people · Groundwater · Nebraska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • 1733 Estates Associates Water System
    50 people · Groundwater · Nebraska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
1 more systems
  • Wood River Valley Mobile Home Park Water System
    48 people · Groundwater · Nebraska · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Hastings 37 mi
City of Hastings
City of HastingsNone above limits7.5 ppb
Grand Island 41 mi
City of Grand Island
City of Grand IslandAbove limit1.98 ppb
Columbus 104 mi
City of Columbus
City of ColumbusNone above limits3.31 ppb
Lincoln 126 mi
City of Lincoln
City of LincolnNone above limits4.5 ppb
Norfolk 126 mi
City of Norfolk
City of NorfolkNone above limits4.73 ppb
Fremont 145 mi
City of Fremont
City of FremontNone above limits0.93 ppb
Kearney ZIP codes (2)
  • 68847
  • 68849

Questions

Is Kearney tap water safe to drink?

City of Kearney had 1 health-based violation since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Kearney, NE?

8 public water systems serve parts of Kearney. The largest is City of Kearney (34,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Kearney tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. City of Kearney had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Kearney homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 47% of Kearney homes as built before 1980 (Nebraska: 57%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. City of Kearney's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.