Water Quality: Columbus, NE
5 water systems • 24,384 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Columbus is served by 5 public water systems with a combined service population of 24,384 people, and has 131 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 60 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Columbus's violation count is 936% above the national average for Nebraska. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli.
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Eye and nose irritation at high levels; long-term exposure above the MCL may cause liver and kidney damage.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant added to kill harmful microorganisms
EPA limit: 4.0 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
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)
Hair loss, nail brittleness, and nervous system damage at elevated concentrations.
Common source: Natural geological deposits, mining discharges, oil refinery waste
EPA limit: 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Columbus
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLUMBUS, CITY OF | NE3114110 | Groundwater | 24,028 | 4 |
| COLLEGE VIEW PARK | NE3114106 | Groundwater | 150 | 116 |
| SILVER TRAILER PARK | NE3114107 | Groundwater | 85 | 3 |
| CIRCLE H MOBILE HOME PARK | NE3114111 | Groundwater | 85 | 1 |
| BAY MEADOWS TRAILER COURT | NE3102309 | Groundwater | 36 | 7 |
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.