Water Quality: Auburn, NE
3 water systems • 4,200 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Auburn is served by 3 public water systems with a combined service population of 4,200 people, and has 19 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 12 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Auburn's violation count is 50% above the national average for Nebraska. Contaminants associated with violations include Bromate, Fecal Coliform, Gross Alpha, Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite.
Contaminants Found
Probable human carcinogen that increases the risk of kidney and thyroid cancers.
Common source: Ozonation of bromide-containing water; used as flour improver
EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Causes methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome) in infants, reducing the blood's ability to carry oxygen.
Common source: Fertilizer runoff, septic systems, animal feedlots, natural deposits
EPA limit: 10 mg/L (as nitrogen)
Causes methemoglobinemia in infants and may pose cancer risks with long-term exposure.
Common source: Fertilizer runoff, septic systems, animal feedlots, natural deposits
EPA limit: 10 mg/L (as nitrogen)
Water Systems Serving Auburn
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUBURN, CITY OF | NE3112703 | Surface Water | 3,478 | 4 |
| NEMAHA CO RWD 1 | NE3112701 | Groundwater | 600 | 11 |
| NEMAHA, VILLAGE OF | NE3112706 | Groundwater | 122 | 4 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Nebraska
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.