Water Department
MANDATORY: All residents must complete a Lead Service Line Survey.
The City of Springfield needs your help! The State of Nebraska Department of Environment & Energy has made it mandatory that all utility providers comply with new reporting requirements regarding lead water service lines.
For your convenience, we've made it easy for you to answer the State's questions online. Click on the link below to complete your MANDATORY Lead Service Line Survey:
https://www.springfieldne.org/survey/viewer.v
Once you submit the survey, an email will be sent to the city as proof that you've properly completed the survey.
For residents that do not want to enter their information online, you may opt-out of the digital survey by printing a paper copy of the survey, printing it out and returning it promptly to Springfield City Hall, 170 North 3rd Street, Springfield, NE 68059, during normal business hours.
Click Here to Download a Paper Copy
For additional information or questions, please contact City Hall at 402-253-2204 or our Water/Sewer Operator, Heath Shemek, at 402-253-2992.
More Information About Lead Service Lines
Lead is a potentially dangerous heavy metal that can cause permanent brain damage and other health problems. The City of Springfield needs your help to identify any remaining lead infrastructure so we can work with you and proper authorities to remove it for the safety and well-being of the public.
Adverse Health Effects of Lead
Drinking water that contains lead can damage a developing brain. It is especially harmful for children six (6) and under, and in adults lead can increase blood pressure. With your help, the City of Springfield can reduce elevated levels of lead in our community.
Source of Lead
The City of Springfield tests for lead levels regularly, but as you know, the source of lead in drinking water is often lead pipes and plumbing components in the distribution system that provides drinking water to your home.
Service Lines
Drinking water for your home is delivered from the water main to your home by a service line. Service lines can contain lead. Identifying homes with lead service lines or lead components is crucial because corrosion of these materials over time can cause lead to accumulate in your drinking water.
Take Action Now
Be a part of the solution. This is a large project and we need your help!
How to Determine if You have a Lead Service?
Check your records. Have you completed maintenance on your service line? Do you know when your home was built? If your home is older than 1988 and has the original service line or plumbing, then your home may have a lead service line or a lead component.
Inspect the service line yourself. You can save time and money and inspect the service line yourself. These lines typically enter your home through the wall facing the street on the lowest level but each setup can be unique to each home. If you do not own your home, please contact the homeowner for this information.
Is it lead? Start with a magnet or scratch test. Gently scratch the surface of the pipe with a coin. If the pipe is soft, easily scrapped, silver, and a magnet doesn't stick, it is most likely lead.
If not lead, then what?
1. Does a magnet stick? If so and the line is dull grey when scratched, this portion of the service line is galvanized steel.
2. If the magnet doesn't stick and it is the same color as a penny when scratched or has a greenish blue build up, this portion of the service line is copper.
3. If the magnet doesn't stick, it is white-ish yellow or grey, and is joined with a clamp, screw or glue, this portion of the service line is plastic or Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC).
If you are still unsure about the materials present and have questions, please contact us.
Water Department Contact Information & Hours
Water Operator - Heath Shemek
(402) 253-2992 phone
After Hours Emergency Phone Number: 402-670-9523
Work Hours
Monday thru Friday
7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Maintenance Shop - 755 South 1st Street