Omaha’s tap water, supplied by the Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD), is consistently safe to drink and meets all mandatory federal and state health standards. MUD draws water from surface and groundwater sources, which are subjected to rigorous treatment before distribution. While the water leaving the treatment plants is clean, safety becomes more complex within the older infrastructure and private plumbing of individual homes. This distinction between water quality at the source and at the tap is important for residents to understand when assessing personal risk.
Omaha’s Water Sources and Purification Process
The Metropolitan Utilities District relies on two major surface water bodies and one groundwater source. Primary sources are the Missouri River and the Platte River, which provide the majority of the supply. The Dakota sandstone aquifer is also utilized as a groundwater source, especially during periods of high demand or maintenance.
MUD operates three water treatment plants—Florence, Platte West, and Platte South—that can process over 300 million gallons daily. The purification process transforms raw river water into potable drinking water. Water is first softened to reduce mineral content, then clarified and filtered to remove sediment and suspended solids. Finally, the water is disinfected using chloramines, a combination of chlorine and ammonia, to ensure the elimination of bacteria and other pathogens before it enters the distribution system.
Regulatory Compliance and Testing Standards
The safety of Omaha’s water is regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). MUD is required to comply with all federal Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for a wide range of potential pollutants. Daily operations include over 1,000 water quality tests to monitor for microbial contaminants, inorganic chemicals, and disinfection byproducts.
The utility publishes an annual Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report), which details all tested contaminant levels and confirms compliance with legal limits. For example, the latest monitoring data for lead showed the 90th percentile result was 7.59 parts per billion (ppb), substantially below the EPA’s action level of 15 ppb. Some independent health organizations have established more stringent health-based guidelines for certain contaminants, which may be exceeded even while the water remains compliant with federal law.
Specific Concerns: Lead Service Lines and Aging Infrastructure
The most significant localized risk to water quality in Omaha comes from the service lines connecting older homes to the main water pipes. Although MUD’s treated water is lead-free, lead can leach into the water as it passes through customer-owned lead service lines, brass fixtures, or plumbing with lead solder, particularly in homes built before the 1940s. MUD estimates that fewer than 16,000 customer-owned lead service lines remain, with the majority located in older neighborhoods generally east of 72nd Street.
To mitigate this risk, MUD employs an established corrosion control method by adding orthophosphate to the treated water. This food-grade additive forms a thin, protective mineral layer on the inside of pipes, acting as a barrier to prevent lead from dissolving into the drinking water. MUD launched a multi-year program to replace all identified lead service lines by the end of 2035 at no direct cost to the homeowner. The utility also provides a “Detect, Correct, Protect” program, offering free water testing and certified pitcher filters to residents with known lead or galvanized service lines until replacement is completed.
MUD manages the city’s aging water distribution system, with some components dating back to the 1880s. The utility has a program to replace targeted water mains to improve system reliability and reduce the frequency of main breaks. This effort is funded through customer fees and safeguards the long-term integrity of the water delivery network.
Household Filtration Options and Best Practices
Even with the high quality of municipal water, some residents choose to use household filtration for aesthetic reasons, such as improving taste or reducing the odor associated with chloramine disinfection. Point-of-use filters, including pitcher filters, faucet-mounted devices, or under-sink systems, are effective options for these preferences. When selecting a filter, consumers should look for certification from an organization like NSF International, which verifies the filter’s ability to remove specific contaminants, such as lead or chlorine.
For households concerned about lead, flush the tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using the water for drinking or cooking, especially if the water has been stagnant for several hours. Only use cold water for consumption and cooking, since hot water can dissolve lead from plumbing materials more quickly. Regular maintenance, including the timely replacement of filter cartridges, is necessary to ensure any installed filtration system remains effective.