Well water in Cherry County, Nebraska
In Cherry County, 5% of 364 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for nitrate (10 mg/L), based on public data from Nebraska Groundwater Quality Clearinghouse and USGS Water Quality Portal.
364 individual samples from 123 wells, 1974 to 2024. Data refreshed September 9, 2026.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside Cherry County. Above limit means above the EPA maximum contaminant level; where EPA has no enforceable limit, the row shows a health guideline or nuisance level instead.
| Contaminant | Samples | Detected | Above limit | Median | Highest | Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate 1979 to 2024 | 364 | 95% | 5% | 0.9 | 91.7 | 10 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Uranium 2003 to 2004 | 13 | 69% | 0% | 0.076 | 3.03 | 30 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Radon 2003 to 2004 | 12 | 100% | no limit | 225 | 330 | 2,000 pCi/L health guideline |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Arsenic (1), Iron (1), Chloride (1), Sodium (1).
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What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are nitrate (5% of 364 samples). A well next door can differ sharply from yours because bedrock fractures, well depth and plumbing all matter, so these rates describe the area, not your tap.
Chloride is widespread in local groundwater. It is mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Cherry County
- Nitrate5% of 364 local samples were above the limit.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- RadonMedian local reading is 225 pCi/L.
- ChlorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
Treatment that fits the local profile
- Nitrate
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Anion exchange; Distillation
- Chloride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Distillation
Get your Cherry County water tested at home
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Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Cherry County?
Arsenic was detected in 100% of 1 public well samples in Cherry County, and 0% were above the EPA limit of 10 ug/L. Arsenic has no taste or smell; a lab test is the only way to know your level.
How high is radon in well water in Cherry County?
The median radon level across 12 public samples in Cherry County was 225 pCi/L, with a high of 330 pCi/L. New Hampshire recommends treatment above 2,000 pCi/L.
How often should I test a private well in Cherry County?
Test for bacteria and nitrate every year. Test once for arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride, manganese and PFAS, then again every three to five years or after any change in taste, color, or plumbing.
Sources
- Nebraska Groundwater Quality Clearinghouse: 364 samples in Cherry County. Groundwater quality results compiled by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, University of Nebraska and Nebraska Department of Agriculture in the Groundwater Quality Clearinghouse, contributed by Natural Resources Districts and state agencies. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
- USGS Water Quality Portal: 29 samples in Cherry County. Data from the Water Quality Portal, a service of USGS, EPA and USDA; groundwater samples collected by USGS and cooperators. Retrieved September 3, 2026.
Non-detects count as samples and are treated as zero when computing medians. Exactly at the limit counts as not above it. A sample belongs to the town containing the well's reported coordinates.