Water

October 19, 2026

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The State of Nebraska along with the City of Bayard has released the Do Not Consume Order! ALL nitrate tests have come back in the allowable range! 

You no longer need to avoid consuming the water. Flyers will be delivered to each house. 

CEASE DO NOT CONSUME

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR DRINKING WATER

City of Bayard - NE3112302

During Third Quarter 2026 (i.e., July through September), the City of Bayard ("System") measured nitrate at concentrations above the maximum contaminant level ("MCL") of 10 milligrams per liter ("mg/L") and Unreasonable Risk to Health level ("URTH") of 20 mg/L in samples collected from the treatment plant.

Customers were advised not to consume system water and instead use bottled water.

What Happened? What Is Being Done?

The System and the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment ("Department") received results from samples collected from the System's wells on September 9, 2026, measuring the nitrate levels at 6.70 mg/L and 7.26 mg/L. Given the results from the System's source water wells are below the nitrate MCL and URTH levels, the System will bypass treatment within the plant while performing an investigation to determine the source of elevated nitrate levels from the plant.

What Should I Do?

You no longer need to avoid consuming system water or use bottled water. We apologize for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience.

Please share this information with all the other people who drink this water, especially those who may not have received this notice directly (for example, people in apartments, nursing homes, schools, and businesses). You can do this by posting this notice in a public place or distributing copies by hand or mail.