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Lincoln NE Water Quality: Aquifer Nitrate, Atrazine, and Emerging PFAS Concerns

March 25, 2026
Nebraska farmland surrounding Lincoln's groundwater wellfields

Lincoln, Nebraska depends almost entirely on groundwater for its drinking water — and that supply faces growing pressure from agricultural contamination and emerging PFAS threats. With nearly 300,000 residents relying on wellfields tapping into the Platte River alluvial aquifer and the Dakota Aquifer, the stakes couldn’t be higher.

Where Lincoln’s Water Comes From

Unlike many cities that draw from rivers or reservoirs, Lincoln gets roughly 95% of its drinking water from underground sources. The city operates wellfields along the Platte River near Ashland, about 25 miles northeast of downtown, plus additional wells tapping the Dakota Aquifer system.

Lincoln Water System (LWS) manages this supply, treating it at the Ashland Water Treatment Plant before sending it through more than 1,400 miles of distribution pipes. The system serves the city’s growing population, which has increased by over 20% since 2000 according to U.S. Census data.

This near-total dependence on groundwater makes Lincoln uniquely vulnerable to anything that degrades aquifer quality. And in the heart of corn belt country, there’s plenty working against those aquifers.

Nitrate: The Corn Belt’s Persistent Problem

Nebraska sits at the center of America’s most intensive corn and soybean farming region. Nitrogen fertilizers applied to millions of surrounding acres don’t stay put — they leach through soil and eventually reach the same aquifers Lincoln drinks from.

The EPA’s maximum contaminant level (MCL) for nitrate is 10 mg/L. Lincoln’s treated water generally stays well below that threshold, but the raw groundwater tells a different story. Monitoring data from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) shows nitrate levels in some monitoring wells across Lancaster County have been climbing steadily over the past two decades, with several exceeding 10 mg/L.

The concern isn’t just today’s readings — it’s the trajectory. Nitrate moves slowly through soil and rock, meaning contamination detected now may reflect fertilizer applied years or even decades ago. The full impact of current agricultural practices on Lincoln’s aquifers won’t be apparent for years to come.

High nitrate levels pose particular risks for infants, where it can cause methemoglobinemia (blue baby syndrome), and emerging research from the National Cancer Institute has linked long-term exposure to elevated nitrate with increased cancer risk, even at levels below the current MCL.

Atrazine: Herbicide in the Water Table

Where there’s corn, there’s atrazine. This widely used herbicide has been detected in Nebraska groundwater for decades, and Lincoln’s wellfields aren’t immune.

The EPA’s MCL for atrazine is 3 parts per billion (ppb). Lincoln’s finished water typically meets this standard, but detections in raw groundwater and source water monitoring raise ongoing concerns. The USGS National Water-Quality Assessment (NAWQA) program has consistently found atrazine and its breakdown products in Nebraska’s shallow groundwater systems.

Atrazine is an endocrine disruptor — it interferes with hormone function even at very low concentrations. The European Union banned it in 2004 over groundwater contamination concerns, but it remains one of the most heavily applied herbicides in the United States, with Nebraska ranking among the top-use states according to USGS pesticide use estimates.

PFAS: The Emerging Threat at Lincoln Airport

As if agricultural contaminants weren’t enough, Lincoln faces a newer concern: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, better known as PFAS. These “forever chemicals” don’t break down in the environment and have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and reproductive problems.

The primary source of concern in Lincoln is the Lincoln Airport, where aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) containing PFAS was used for decades in firefighting training exercises. This is a pattern seen at military bases and airports across the country — the foam does its job on fuel fires, then the PFAS compounds seep into the ground and migrate into aquifers.

The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy has been investigating PFAS contamination around the airport. Initial sampling has detected PFAS in groundwater near the facility [NEEDS VERIFICATION — specific concentration data pending latest NDEE reporting cycle]. The EPA’s current MCL for PFOA and PFOS, finalized in 2024, is 4 parts per trillion (ppt) — an extraordinarily low threshold that reflects just how toxic these compounds are.

Lincoln Water System has stated it monitors for PFAS and that treated drinking water meets federal standards. However, the proximity of airport contamination to the city’s aquifer system warrants continued vigilance, especially as the plume’s movement through groundwater is tracked over time.

Declining Aquifer Levels Add Pressure

Beyond contamination, Lincoln faces the fundamental challenge of aquifer sustainability. The High Plains Aquifer system, which underlies much of Nebraska, has seen significant declines in many areas due to agricultural irrigation withdrawals.

While Lincoln’s primary wellfields tap the Platte River alluvial aquifer — which benefits from river recharge — the broader regional trend of declining water tables is concerning. USGS water-level monitoring data shows that parts of eastern Nebraska have experienced measurable aquifer declines, and increasing demand from both agriculture and urban growth puts additional strain on the resource.

Lincoln’s population growth means more water demand from the same underground sources. The city has invested in conservation programs and explored supplemental water sources, but the fundamental equation — more people, same aquifer, ongoing contamination inputs — creates long-term risk.

What the Data Shows

Lincoln’s most recent Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) shows the city’s treated water meeting all EPA standards. That’s the good news. But “meeting standards” and “free from concern” aren’t the same thing.

Key points from recent monitoring:

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department also monitors private wells in the area and has documented nitrate exceedances in rural wells surrounding the city.

What Lincoln Residents Should Do

If you’re on Lincoln’s municipal water system, your water is treated and tested regularly. But given the agricultural and PFAS contamination pressures on the source aquifer, taking some extra steps makes sense:

  1. Read your CCR — Lincoln Water System publishes this annually. Look at the actual detected levels, not just whether they “pass.”
  2. Test if you’re on a private well — If you’re outside city limits on a private well in Lancaster County, get tested for nitrate, atrazine, and PFAS. The Lancaster County Extension office can help with testing resources.
  3. Consider point-of-use treatment — A certified water filter can reduce nitrate, atrazine, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts from your tap water, even if levels are within legal limits.
  4. Pay attention to infants and pregnant women — Nitrate exposure is most dangerous for babies. If your well water hasn’t been tested recently, don’t use it for infant formula without testing first.

Treatment Options That Work

For Lincoln residents looking to go beyond what the city’s treatment provides:

If you’re concerned about your water quality, a certified water treatment professional can test your water and advise on solutions.