The public water system record for Lexington, Dawson County, Nebraska, shows that this municipal groundwater supply has had five health-based violations noted by the EPA. While these violations indicate some challenges, they specifically refer to system-wide issues and do not directly reflect the condition of any single household’s water.
Understanding 'Detected,' 'Median,' and 'Range' in Bacteria Sampling Data
The terms found in water quality reports—such as 'detected,' 'median,' and 'range'—describe measurements taken from the water system samples. 'Detected' means the presence of bacteria was measured at least once during sampling. 'Median' describes the middle value among multiple samples, while 'range' shows the lowest to highest measured values. These terms summarize testing results but do not directly reveal the water quality in your home without private testing.
Why Sampling Depth and Source Type Affect Expectations for Bacteria
Because Lexington’s water comes from groundwater sources, bacteria levels can be influenced by well depth and source protection. Groundwater is generally less exposed to surface contaminants compared to surface water, but localized conditions such as well integrity impact bacteria presence. Understanding the source characteristics helps set realistic expectations about bacteria detection likelihood.
Sample Size and Its Effect on Data Reliability
The public water system serves over 10,000 people through more than 3,300 connections, but the number of wells sampled and frequency are limited by regulatory requirements. A small number of samples or infrequent testing can cause variability in the data and may not fully capture all temporal changes in bacteria presence. Larger sample sizes and regular monitoring increase confidence in the system’s trend assessments.
Changes in Water Quality at the Tap With Treatment Technology
For households deciding on treatment, the C-Series Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter is designed to reduce bacteria and coliform levels effectively. Once configured with this system, water delivered to your home features an additional barrier against bacteria, supplementing public system treatment and addressing potential vulnerabilities specific to your property’s plumbing and well conditions.
Distinguishing Aesthetic Standards From Health-Based Bacteria Limits
Bacteria levels in water are governed by health-based standards rather than aesthetic secondary standards, which often relate to taste or odor. Health-based violations noted by the EPA reflect bacterial levels that could pose a health concern, unlike aesthetic issues which are not safety-related. Knowing this distinction helps in evaluating the seriousness of detected bacteria and the appropriateness of treatment options.
What the Measured Bacteria Range Means Compared to Federal Standards
The range of bacteria detected in the Lexington system does not automatically indicate a violation at every sampling point, nor does it reveal unsafe water in individual homes. Federal standards set action levels for bacteria that trigger remedial measures. The public system’s violations indicate instances where these action levels were exceeded system-wide, but local testing is necessary to confirm the status of your household water.
Next Step in Deciding on Household Treatment
The definitive way to understand your home water’s bacteria condition is to have it tested directly for bacteria and coliform levels. A comprehensive laboratory analysis will indicate if the levels exceed health-based thresholds. If testing suggests elevated bacteria, selecting a treatment system such as the C-Series Bacteria & Coliform (Well) Filter, which ships ready to configure, can provide an effective solution tailored to your home's needs.
Where this information comes from
Source: EPA SDWIS public water system record. Sampled 2025-12-31. These figures describe the public water system's record, not the plumbing inside any individual building.
On record: EPA SDWIS record for LEXINGTON, CITY OF (NE3104708), groundwater supply, serving 10348 people: 5 health-based violations of 6 total; lead 90th percentile 0.00295 mg/L