Well water in Saunders County, Nebraska
In Saunders County, 23% of 787 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.
787 individual samples from 558 wells, 1976 to 2025. Data refreshed September 9, 2026.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside Saunders 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 2025 | 787 | 94% | 23% | 3.67 | 112 | 10 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Uranium 1994 to 2023 | 10 | 100% | 0% | 7.04 | 12 | 30 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Radon 1994 to 1995 | 17 | 100% | no limit | 300 | 620 | 2,000 pCi/L health guideline |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Arsenic (1), Fluoride (1), Manganese (2), Sodium (1), Chloride (1).
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What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are nitrate (23% of 787 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.
Manganese and Chloride are widespread in local groundwater. They are mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Saunders County
Treatment that fits the local profile
- Nitrate
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Anion exchange; Distillation
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Manganese
- Oxidizing filter (greensand, birm) whole-house; Water softener (low levels); Point-of-use reverse osmosis
- Chloride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Distillation
Get your Saunders 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 Saunders County.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Saunders County?
Arsenic was detected in 100% of 1 public well samples in Saunders 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 Saunders County?
The median radon level across 17 public samples in Saunders County was 300 pCi/L, with a high of 620 pCi/L. New Hampshire recommends treatment above 2,000 pCi/L.
How often should I test a private well in Saunders 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: 790 samples in Saunders 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: 30 samples in Saunders 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.