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Metropolitan Utilities District

Omaha, NE · serves 554,091 · Surface waterNE3105507
Worth watching
Naturally occurring lithium detected. No federal limit. Research is preliminary; see the lithium learn page for context.
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Measured in your 2024 water report
From your utility's Consumer Confidence Report · 71 contaminants tested
Above limit
Approaching limit
Within limits
Regulated contaminants — legally enforceable limits
Arsenic▸
0.0049 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A naturally occurring element found in rock and soil. Gets into drinking water through erosion of natural deposits or runoff from industrial and agricultural sources.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure is linked to increased risk of skin, bladder, and lung cancer. There is no safe level for arsenic — the MCL of 10 µg/L balances health protection with treatment feasibility.
What to do
If your water is near or above the limit, a reverse osmosis filter certified to NSF/ANSI 58 removes over 90% of arsenic. Point-of-use filters at the kitchen tap are effective and affordable.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found congenital heart defects including atrial septal defects at concentrations as low as 0.0005 mg/L — 20x below the US federal limit.
Atrazine▸
0.000326 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
One of the most widely used agricultural herbicides in the US. Enters groundwater and surface water from cropland runoff, especially in the Midwest corn belt.
Why it matters
The MCL of 0.003 mg/L protects against cardiovascular and reproductive effects. Atrazine is also an endocrine disruptor at very low levels.
What to do
Activated carbon filters can reduce atrazine. If you're in an agricultural area with detections near the MCL, a point-of-use filter is good protection.
Barium▸
0.118 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A naturally occurring metal found in mineral deposits. Enters water through erosion of natural deposits or discharge from drilling and metal refining operations.
Why it matters
At high levels, barium can cause increased blood pressure. Levels well below the MCL of 2 mg/L are not a health concern.
What to do
No action needed at typical detection levels. Barium is rarely found near its MCL in treated drinking water.
Chromium▸
0.00174 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A metal found naturally in rocks, soil, and volcanic dust. Total chromium includes both chromium-3 (essential nutrient) and chromium-6 (the "Erin Brockovich" contaminant).
Why it matters
The federal MCL of 0.1 mg/L covers total chromium. Most health concern is specifically about chromium-6, which has no federal MCL but is monitored in some states.
What to do
If total chromium is well below the MCL, no action needed. If you want to know the chromium-6 level specifically, check if your utility tests for it separately.
Endrin▸
0.000143 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Fluoride▸
0.83 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Naturally occurring mineral, also added to many water systems to prevent tooth decay. The MCL (4 mg/L) is much higher than the typical added amount (0.7 mg/L).
Why it matters
At levels near the MCL, long-term exposure can cause skeletal fluorosis (bone pain and tenderness). The secondary standard of 2 mg/L triggers a required public notice about dental fluorosis risk in children.
What to do
Levels below 2 mg/L are within the range considered safe. If above 2 mg/L, children under 9 may be at risk for dental fluorosis — talk to your pediatric dentist.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found lower IQ in children and potential thyroid disruption at concentrations as low as 1.5 mg/L — 3x below the US federal limit.
Gross Alpha▸
6.38 pCi/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A screening test that measures total alpha radiation from all radioactive elements in water — including radium, uranium, and radon.
Why it matters
The MCL of 15 pCi/L protects against long-term cancer risk from radiation exposure.
What to do
No action needed at typical detection levels. If near the MCL, reverse osmosis and ion exchange filters can reduce radioactive contaminants.
Nitrate (as N)▸
2.9 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Comes from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. One of the most common groundwater contaminants in agricultural areas.
Why it matters
Nitrate above 10 mg/L can cause "blue baby syndrome" (methemoglobinemia) in infants under 6 months — it interferes with blood's ability to carry oxygen. Adults can tolerate higher levels.
What to do
If you have an infant on formula and your water is above 5 mg/L, consider using bottled water for formula preparation. Boiling water does NOT remove nitrate — it concentrates it.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found neural tube defects, preterm birth, and low birth weight at concentrations as low as 5 mg/L — 2x below the US federal limit.
Radium-226▸
0.405 pCi/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A naturally occurring radioactive element produced by the decay of uranium in rock and soil. Most common in deep groundwater.
Why it matters
Combined radium (226 + 228) has an MCL of 5 pCi/L. Radium-226 is an alpha emitter linked to bone cancer with long-term exposure.
What to do
Ion exchange and reverse osmosis filters are effective at reducing radium.
Radium-228▸
0.54 pCi/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A naturally occurring radioactive element produced by the decay of thorium. Most common in deep groundwater.
Why it matters
Combined radium (226 + 228) has an MCL of 5 pCi/L. Radium-228 is a beta emitter linked to bone cancer with long-term exposure.
What to do
Ion exchange and reverse osmosis filters are effective at reducing radium.
Selenium▸
0.00492 mg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
A naturally occurring element essential in small amounts but toxic at high levels. Enters water from erosion of natural deposits and discharge from mines and refineries.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 0.05 mg/L can cause hair and fingernail loss, numbness, and circulation problems.
What to do
No action needed at typical detection levels. Selenium is rarely found near its MCL in treated water.
Lead & copper — tested at your tap
Copper▸
0.0186 mg/L
Action levellegally enforceable
What is it?
Leaches from copper household plumbing and pipes. Some copper is a normal part of drinking water infrastructure.
Why it matters
Short-term exposure above the action level of 1.3 mg/L can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure can cause liver and kidney damage. At typical detected levels (well below the AL), copper is not a health concern.
What to do
If above the action level, run your tap for 30 seconds before drinking. Copper levels decrease as water flows through the pipes.
Lead▸
0.00759 mg/L
Action levellegally enforceable
What is it?
Lead in drinking water almost always comes from your home's plumbing — not from the water source or treatment plant. Lead pipes, solder, and brass fixtures can leach lead, especially if water sits in pipes for hours.
Why it matters
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Even low levels can harm children's brain development, and cause kidney and blood pressure problems in adults. The action level of 15 µg/L is a regulatory trigger, not a safety threshold.
What to do
Run your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning. Use cold water for cooking and formula — hot water leaches more lead. A filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead removal is the most reliable protection.
What the research says
There is no safe level of lead exposure. Lead crosses the placenta and causes preterm birth and cognitive impairment in children at blood lead levels below 10 µg/dL.
Disinfection byproducts
TCAA▸
5.95 µg/L
MCLGhealth goal, unenforced
What is it?
A haloacetic acid formed during chlorine disinfection of source water containing organic matter. One of five HAAs regulated together as HAA5.
Why it matters
EPA sets the MCLG at 0.02 mg/L based on liver effects observed in animal studies. Classified as suggestive but not yet established as a human carcinogen. Regulated as part of the HAA5 group (60 µg/L).
What to do
Like other HAAs, TCAA is reduced by carbon-block filtration at point-of-use (NSF/ANSI 53 certified for VOCs). Reducing the parent organic load — through utility-side treatment changes — is the more effective approach at scale.
MCAA▸
2.68 µg/L
MCLGhealth goal, unenforced
What is it?
A haloacetic acid formed in smaller quantities than DCAA or TCAA during chlorine disinfection. One of five HAAs regulated together as HAA5.
Why it matters
EPA sets the MCLG at 0.07 mg/L based on developmental and reproductive effects in animal studies. Less studied than the other HAAs but regulated as part of the HAA5 group.
What to do
Reduced by point-of-use carbon-block filtration (NSF/ANSI 53). Like other HAAs, source-water treatment is the more effective control at scale.
BCAA▸
5.84 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
BDCAA▸
2.85 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
CDBAA▸
1.52 µg/L
No additional information available for this contaminant.
DBAA▸
1.82 µg/L
What is it?
A brominated haloacetic acid formed in chlorinated water with elevated bromide. One of five HAAs regulated together as HAA5.
Why it matters
EPA has not established an individual MCLG for DBAA — there isn't enough data yet to identify a no-effect level. Regulated as part of HAA5 (60 µg/L), since the group is associated with cancer and developmental concerns.
What to do
Reduced by point-of-use carbon-block filtration (NSF/ANSI 53). Source-water treatment is the more effective control.
DCAA▸
15 µg/L
What is it?
A haloacetic acid formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter during disinfection. One of five HAAs regulated together as HAA5 (limit: 60 µg/L).
Why it matters
EPA classifies DCAA as a likely human carcinogen and sets the MCLG at zero. Animal studies show liver, neurological, and reproductive effects, and developmental concerns have been raised at high prenatal exposures. The HAA5 group limit reflects feasibility, not the MCLG.
What to do
DCAA forms in your utility's treatment process. Point-of-use carbon-block filters certified for VOC reduction (NSF/ANSI 53) can reduce HAAs. Running cold tap water briefly before drinking helps clear water that has sat in pipes where DBPs continue to form.
MBAA▸
0.3 µg/L
What is it?
A brominated haloacetic acid formed when chlorine reacts with bromide-containing organic matter during disinfection. One of five HAAs regulated together as HAA5.
Why it matters
EPA has not established an MCLG for MBAA — the toxicology data is more limited than for the other HAAs. It's still regulated as part of the HAA5 group (60 µg/L) because the group as a whole is associated with cancer and developmental risk.
What to do
Reduced by point-of-use carbon-block filtration (NSF/ANSI 53). As with all HAAs, source-water treatment is the more effective control at scale.
HAA5▸
19.9 µg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Another group of disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. HAA5 measures the five most common species.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 60 µg/L (0.060 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk. Like THMs, the MCL is based on a running annual average.
What to do
Activated carbon filters can reduce HAA5. If your system consistently approaches the limit, a reverse osmosis filter provides more complete removal.
Chloroform▸
26 µg/L
MCLGhealth goal, unenforced
What is it?
A disinfection byproduct formed when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. The most common of the four trihalomethanes.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure has been associated with increased risk of bladder cancer and possibly colorectal cancer. EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen and sets an MCLG of 0.07 mg/L based on liver effects. Regulated together with three other trihalomethanes under the TTHM standard (80 µg/L).
What to do
Chloroform levels are largely a function of how your utility manages disinfection. If TTHM is approaching the limit, a carbon-block filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified for VOCs or specifically for trihalomethanes) at point-of-use reduces it. Letting cold water run for 30 seconds before drinking can also help, since chloroform forms in the distribution system.
DBCM▸
5.52 µg/L
MCLGhealth goal, unenforced
What is it?
A brominated trihalomethane formed when chlorine reacts with bromide-containing organic matter. More common in source waters with higher bromide levels — often coastal or groundwater systems.
Why it matters
EPA sets the MCLG at 0.06 mg/L based on liver and kidney effects. Some evidence suggests DBCM may be carcinogenic, though the data is less clear than for BDCM and bromoform. Regulated together with the other three trihalomethanes under TTHM.
What to do
Like other THMs, DBCM forms in the distribution system as chlorine reacts over time. A point-of-use carbon-block filter (NSF/ANSI 53) reduces it along with related compounds.
BDCM▸
11.8 µg/L
What is it?
A brominated trihalomethane formed when chlorine reacts with organic matter and bromide in source water. One of four trihalomethanes regulated together under TTHM.
Why it matters
EPA classifies BDCM as a probable human carcinogen and sets the MCLG at zero, meaning the agency identifies no safe lifetime exposure level. Studies link it to bladder and colon cancer, and to reproductive and developmental effects at high exposures. The enforceable limit (80 µg/L for total TTHM) reflects what's feasible to achieve, not what's safest.
What to do
BDCM is formed in your utility's system, so reducing it generally means reducing total disinfection byproducts there. At point-of-use, a carbon-block filter certified for VOCs or trihalomethanes (NSF/ANSI 53) reduces BDCM along with other THMs.
Bromoform▸
0.7 µg/L
What is it?
A fully brominated trihalomethane, formed when chlorine reacts with high-bromide source water. More common in coastal and arid-region systems where source water naturally contains bromide.
Why it matters
EPA classifies bromoform as a probable human carcinogen, with an MCLG of zero. Animal studies show liver and intestinal tumors; human evidence is more limited but consistent with the other brominated THMs. Regulated under the TTHM standard (80 µg/L for the sum of all four).
What to do
Reducing bromoform usually means working at the source — your utility may need to adjust disinfection or pretreatment. At home, an NSF/ANSI 53 carbon-block filter reduces bromoform along with the other THMs.
TTHM▸
47.5 µg/L
MCLlegally enforceable
What is it?
Formed when chlorine used to disinfect water reacts with natural organic matter. Includes chloroform, bromoform, and related compounds. The trade-off: disinfection prevents waterborne disease, but creates these byproducts.
Why it matters
Long-term exposure above the MCL of 80 µg/L (0.080 mg/L) is associated with increased cancer risk and possible reproductive effects. The MCL is based on a running annual average, not a single sample.
What to do
If your system is near or above the limit, an activated carbon filter (including pitcher filters like Brita) can reduce THMs. Running water for a minute before drinking also helps, as THMs are volatile and dissipate.
WHO recommendation
Manganese▸
0.003 mg/L
WHO guidelineinternational, unenforced
What is it?
A naturally occurring metal that enters water through eroding rocks and soils, and occasionally from industrial sources. Common in groundwater, especially in some regions of the Midwest and Northeast.
Why it matters
Manganese is essential in small amounts but a developmental neurotoxin at higher exposures. Studies have linked manganese in drinking water to attention and learning difficulties in children, including ADHD, with effects detectable at levels below the EPA's aesthetic standard of 0.05 mg/L. The WHO sets a provisional health-based guideline of 0.08 mg/L; some researchers argue this should be lower. Infants drinking formula made with manganese-rich water may be particularly exposed. EPA's 0.05 mg/L secondary standard exists to prevent black or brown staining on laundry and fixtures — not as a health protection.
What to do
If manganese is at or near WHO's 0.08 mg/L guideline, a reverse osmosis filter certified to NSF/ANSI 58 removes most manganese. Activated carbon and standard pitcher filters do not effectively remove dissolved manganese. For infant formula preparation, parents in areas with detectable manganese may want to use filtered or bottled water — this is what MDH (Minnesota) and several other state health departments now recommend.
What the research says
Multiple peer-reviewed studies have found increased ADHD risk and lower IQ in children, with effects observed in a dose-response pattern from <5 µg/L upward (no clean threshold below which the association disappears) with a dose-response relationship across the range of concentrations found in drinking water.
Sodium▸
83 mg/L
WHO guidelineinternational, unenforced
What is it?
Naturally present in most water sources. Also increases from road salt, water softeners, and natural mineral deposits.
Why it matters
There is no federal MCL for sodium. The WHO suggests a guideline of 200 mg/L for people on sodium-restricted diets. For most people, sodium in water is a small fraction of dietary intake.
What to do
If you're on a sodium-restricted diet and your water is above 20 mg/L, talk to your doctor. For most people, no action needed.
OTHER
2-METHOXYETHANOL▸
0.4
No additional information available for this contaminant.
2-PROPEN-1-OL▸
0.5
No additional information available for this contaminant.
ALPHA-HEXACHLOROCYCLOHEXANE▸
0.01
No additional information available for this contaminant.
ANATOXIN-A▸
0.03
No additional information available for this contaminant.
BUTYLATED HYDROXYANISOLE▸
0.03
No additional information available for this contaminant.
CHLORPYRIFOS▸
0.03
No additional information available for this contaminant.
CYLINDROSPERMOPSIN▸
0.09
No additional information available for this contaminant.
DIMETHIPIN▸
0.2
No additional information available for this contaminant.
ETHOPROP▸
0.03
No additional information available for this contaminant.
O-TOLUIDINE▸
0.0007
No additional information available for this contaminant.
OXYFLUORFEN▸
0.05
No additional information available for this contaminant.
p▸
9 pH Units
No additional information available for this contaminant.
PERMETHRIN, CIS & TRANS▸
0.04
No additional information available for this contaminant.
PROFENOFOS▸
0.3
No additional information available for this contaminant.
Spec. Conductance @25 deg. C.▸
539 umhos
No additional information available for this contaminant.
TEBUCONAZOLE▸
0.2
No additional information available for this contaminant.
TOTAL MICROCYSTINS & NODULARINS▸
0.03
No additional information available for this contaminant.
TRIBROMOACETIC ACID▸
2
No additional information available for this contaminant.
TRIBUFOS▸
0.07
No additional information available for this contaminant.
% of limit

Other measurements

These describe characteristics of the water that aren’t health risks at typical levels — mineral content, taste, hardness, and similar.

Hardness
▸
10 mg/L· soft
Alkalinity
▸
111 mg/L
Aluminum
▸
0.05 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 0.2 mg/L)
Bromide
▸
65.6 mg/L
Calcium
▸
47 mg/L
Chloride
▸
28 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 250 mg/L)
Color
▸
3 color units
(EPA secondary standard: 15 color units)
Germanium
▸
0.3 µg/L
Iron
▸
0.07 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 0.3 mg/L)
Magnesium
▸
12 mg/L
Phosphate
▸
0.3 mg/L
Potassium
▸
8 mg/L
Silica
▸
19 mg/L
Sulfate
▸
126 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 250 mg/L)
TDS
▸
411 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 500 mg/L)
TOC
▸
3840 mg/L
Zinc
▸
0.005 mg/L
(EPA secondary standard: 5 mg/L)

CCR data in early access — values are extracted from utility PDFs and may contain errors. Verify with your utility's 2024 CCR report.

Flagged for review
The following measurements were extracted from this system's Consumer Confidence Report but have been flagged for verification. These values are likely extraction or unit errors and have been removed from the chart above.
ContaminantReported ValueLimitReason
Lithium102 µg/L10 µg/LValue 102 µg/L exceeds sanity limit (10) — possible unit or extraction error
Think this data is correct?
Source: METROPOLITAN UTILITIES DISTRICT Consumer Confidence Report 2024 · Extracted by WaterScore
Measured data
Private Well Risk

Do you have or use a private well? Measured concentrations from nearby private wells sampled within 5 miles.

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Blended supply
Water Sources

Omaha uses both groundwater and surface water sources, giving it more supply flexibility during drought conditions. Emergency backup sources are available if primary supplies are disrupted.

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