What this tracks
This dataset maps protected groundwater areas around public drinking water wells in Nebraska.
Why it matters to you
If you’re buying land or starting a business that handles chemicals (like a farm supply store or auto shop), these boundaries show where extra environmental rules apply. In Cedar Rapids, for example, spills within these zones could contaminate the village’s drinking water. Homeowners drilling new wells near these areas may face additional permitting requirements to protect the public water supply.
How to read this data
PWS_Name — Which town’s water supply is protected (e.g., “Cedar Rapids, Village of”).
NRD — The local Natural Resources District managing the area (e.g., “Lower Loup”).
Sq_Acres — Size of the protected zone (e.g., 1,805 acres around Cedar Rapids’ wells).
Try it yourself
Check if your property falls within a Wellhead Protection Area by searching your address on Nebraska’s Water Well Standards Program map.