Lancaster County, Nebraska — public water systems

How does Lancaster County compare with other Nebraska counties?

Lancaster County has the most active public water systems among the 102 counties listed for active Nebraska systems in EPA records; among the 85 with 3 or more systems, the median has 10. Its systems report 322,179 people served in total, the 2nd-largest county figure in the state and 18% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 4,413 people, about 200% above the Nebraska average of 1,472. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Lancaster County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Lancaster County's active systems draw on groundwater (69, 95%), purchased groundwater (2, 2.7%), groundwater under influence of surface water (1, 1.4%) and purchased groundwater under influence (1, 1.4%). Overall, all rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and none on surface water, compared with 97% and 2.6% across Nebraska. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, City of Lincoln, draws primarily on groundwater under influence of surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Lancaster County?

Lancaster County's active systems break down as 22 community systems (30%), 9 non-transient non-community systems (12%) and 42 transient non-community systems (58%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as private (56%), local government (33%) and state government (11%).