State Well Water Guide
Nebraska Private Well Water Guide
About 40% of Nebraskans rely on private wells, with the highest rates in rural agricultural communities across the state and in the Sandhills region. Nebraska sits atop the High Plains (Ogallala) Aquifer — one of the world's largest groundwater systems — which provides water for both agriculture and domestic wells. The Ogallala's nitrate contamination from decades of fertilizer application is Nebraska's most significant well water challenge. Naturally occurring arsenic in alluvial and loess deposits in the Platte River valley and eastern Nebraska, and uranium from the Niobrara chalk formation in central Nebraska, are additional concerns. NDEE regulates well construction.
Testing Guidance
NDEE recommends annual testing for coliform bacteria and nitrates for all private wells. Eastern Nebraska well owners near intensive corn production should prioritize nitrate testing. Platte River valley well owners should test for arsenic. Central Nebraska Niobrara Chalk area well owners should test for uranium. All Ogallala Aquifer well owners should baseline test for nitrates as a starting point.
What to Test For in Nebraska
Total coliform bacteria and E. coli — annual minimum
Nitrates — highest priority for all Nebraska well owners; Ogallala aquifer nitrates are a documented statewide problem
Arsenic — Platte River valley alluvial wells and eastern Nebraska loess deposit wells
Uranium — central Nebraska Niobrara Chalk and surrounding Cretaceous geology wells
Iron and manganese — alluvial wells throughout the Platte, Loup, and other river valleys
Atrazine and herbicides — shallow wells near intensive corn production areas
Fluoride — some Nebraska aquifer systems have naturally elevated fluoride
Common Contamination Risks in Nebraska
Nitrate contamination of the Ogallala Aquifer — decades of fertilizer application to irrigated corn have increased Ogallala nitrate concentrations in Nebraska; some areas have nitrate levels well above the 10 mg/L MCL
Arsenic in Platte River valley alluvial aquifer — naturally elevated arsenic in the alluvial sediments flanking the Platte River
Uranium from Cretaceous chalk formations — the Niobrara Chalk in central Nebraska naturally releases uranium into groundwater
Atrazine from corn production — Nebraska's primary crop is irrigated corn; atrazine herbicide is detected in shallow wells in corn belt counties
Bacterial contamination from feedlots — Nebraska's large cattle feeding industry creates pathogen risk for nearby shallow wells
Contaminant Guides Relevant to NE Wells
PFAS
Synthetic Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 ppt
Lead
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 15 ppb (action level)
Nitrates
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 10 mg/L
DBPs
Disinfection Byproducts
EPA limit: 80 µg/L (TTHMs) / 60 µg/L (HAA5)
Arsenic
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 10 ppb
Hard Water
Minerals
EPA limit: No federal limit
Chlorine
Disinfection Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL)
Microplastics
Emerging Contaminants
EPA limit: No federal limit
Bacteria
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero E. coli / < 1 coliform per 100 mL
Fluoride
Minerals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MCL) / 2 mg/L (Secondary MCL)
Chromium-6
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 100 ppb (total chromium)
Copper
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 1.3 mg/L (action level)
Radon
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: No finalized MCL
Iron & Manganese
Minerals
EPA limit: 0.3 mg/L iron / 0.05 mg/L manganese (aesthetic SMCLs)
Atrazine
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 3 ppb (0.003 mg/L)
Uranium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 30 µg/L (30 ppb)
Perchlorate
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: 0.056 mg/L (56 ppb)
VOCs
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: Varies by compound: benzene 5 ppb; TCE 5 ppb; PCE 5 ppb; vinyl chloride 2 ppb
Radium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228)
Crypto & Giardia
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero (treatment technique standard)
Hydrogen Sulfide
Naturally Occurring Compounds
EPA limit: No MCL; Secondary MCL (aesthetic) of 0.05 mg/L
Selenium
Minerals
EPA limit: 50 ppb (0.05 mg/L)
Cadmium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 5 ppb (0.005 mg/L)
Mercury
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 ppb (0.002 mg/L)
Barium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Find a Certified Lab in Nebraska
Use the Nebraska state-certified laboratory program to find accredited labs for private well testing. Always verify current certification before submitting samples.
NE Certified Lab Directory ↗Nebraska Well Water FAQs
Related Pages
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Quick Reference
State program
NE Certified Labs ↗EPA guidance
EPA Private Wells Program ↗State lab directory
NE Certified Labs ↗Minimum Annual Tests
Plus state-specific contaminants listed above
Other State Guides