Well water in McPherson County, Nebraska
In McPherson County, none of 42 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for nitrate, based on public data from Nebraska Groundwater Quality Clearinghouse and USGS Water Quality Portal.
42 individual samples from 26 wells, 1985 to 2020. Data refreshed September 9, 2026.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside McPherson 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 1985 to 2020 | 42 | 76% | 0% | 0.6 | 6.7 | 10 mg/L EPA limit |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Uranium (7), Arsenic (1), Radon (7).
Get the free McPherson County well report
One email with the numbers above, what they mean for a home in McPherson County, exactly which tests to order, and what treatment fits the local profile. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.
What this means
Among contaminants with a federal limit, no tested sample in McPherson County came back above it. That is reassuring, but sampling is uneven: wells that were never tested are not in this data.
What to test for in McPherson County
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- RadonMedian local reading is 190 pCi/L.
- NitrateRecommended for every private well, especially near farms or septic systems.
Get your McPherson County water tested at home
A licensed local water treatment company tests your tap water in your home, walks you through the numbers, and quotes treatment only if something needs fixing. Free, about 30 minutes, no obligation. Tell us what you need and we match you with a company that serves McPherson County.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in McPherson County?
Arsenic was detected in 100% of 1 public well samples in McPherson 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 McPherson County?
The median radon level across 7 public samples in McPherson County was 190 pCi/L, with a high of 280 pCi/L. New Hampshire recommends treatment above 2,000 pCi/L.
How often should I test a private well in McPherson 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: 42 samples in McPherson 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: 15 samples in McPherson 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.