Water Quality

Frequently Asked Questions About Water Quality

• Why does my water look and/or taste different?

  At various times of the year, some M.U.D. customers may notice their water looks, tastes, or smells a bit different than normal. These changes occur when the Platte and Missouri River basins experience runoff of natural organic vegetation, nutrients and minerals due to weather events including snow melt, heavy rainfall and flooding.

  Weather events far to the north and west (i.e. Western Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, the Dakotas) can impact the water quality of the Platte and Missouri River Basins. This additional runoff flows from smaller tributaries into the Platte and Missouri Rivers, which provide source water for the Omaha metro area.

  M.U.D. continuously monitors source water conditions and makes needed adjustments to water treatment processes to minimize the effects of these events.

  We assure you the tap water continues to meet all state and federal standards for drinking water. Your tap water is fully safe and there is no impact to public health.

  We perform more than 1,000 water quality tests a day throughout the supply and distribution system. Tests are conducted in strict accordance with requirements set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy.

  Visit our water quality page at mudomaha.com for more information and to see the current consumer confidence report.

  If you need additional information, please call Customer Service at 402.554.6666.

• Is there lead in M.U.D.’s water?

  No. M.U.D. conducts monthly tests for lead and it is not detected in source (raw) water, in the finished water from the District’s water treatment plants, or in the distribution system (water mains). M.U.D. produces stable, non-corrosive water. Lead is mainly a localized customer issue, which means some customers may own a lead service line or have plumbing that includes lead solder. Lead service lines may be found in areas of Omaha and other communities on our system in homes built prior to the 1930s.

• How do I find out if I have a lead service line?

  The pipe that connects your household plumbing to the water main in the street is called a service line, which you own. To see what the District records indicate about your service line material, you can enter your address in our interactive map. You can also call Customer Service at 402.554.6666 or you can hire a licensed plumber to inspect the service line.

• Can I get my water tested for lead?

  Yes. Customers who have partial or whole lead service lines (or the composition is unknown) installed before 1940 can request M.U.D. to test for lead. To request a test, call Customer Service at 402.554.6666. M.U.D.’s Water Quality Lab conducts the tests and submits results to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE).

• If I do own a lead service line, what can I do to reduce lead exposure?

  M.U.D.’s water treatment is designed to not leach lead and copper, however there are steps you can take to further reduce the risk:

  • Only use water from the cold tap for cooking and drinking.
  • If the tap has not been used in more than a half hour, then flush water through the faucet for 30 seconds up to 2 minutes before using it.
  • Remove and clean the faucet aerators (also called screens) on a regular basis. To clean the faucet screen of debris:

  1. Unscrew the screen.
  2. Separate the individual parts.
  3. Remove any sediment (mineral or rust build up) on the screen and other parts. If necessary, soak the parts in white vinegar for a few minutes and scrub with a brush.
  4. Reassemble the screen parts and re-attach to the faucet.

• Do I need a water filter?

  Use of a supplemental filter is a personal preference, however it can also be harmful if not properly maintained. In selecting a filter, determine what substance(s) is/are to be removed and look for a filter that has a NSF/UL certification to remove it. Information on plumbing fixtures and in-home filters is available from the National Sanitation Foundation by calling 1.800.NSF.MARK or visiting nsf.org.

• Does the Federal government monitor water for lead?

  Yes. In 1991, the EPA published a regulation to control lead and copper in drinking water, known as the Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA revised the regulation in 2000, 2007 and in early 2021. Congress has also set limits on the amount of lead that can be used in plumbing products. These requirements were first enacted in 1986 and then reduced to lower levels in 2011.

  The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) performs all of the testing for M.U.D.’s compliance with the Lead and Copper Rule. M.U.D.’s role is to deliver the sample kits to the customer, collect them and send them to NDEE for testing. M.U.D. is required to sample for lead and copper every three years. The most recent round of lead and copper testing was completed in fall of 2022. The 90th percentile (action level) was 7.59 ppb, well below the regulatory limit of 15 ppb.

• Where do I find more information?

  You can call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800.426.4791 or visit their website: water.epa.gov/drink. Or, call the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy at 402.471.2541.