Douglas County · Omaha–Council Bluffs metro
Plumbing help in Omaha, NE
Frozen PipesOlder Pipes
Omaha's water comes from the Missouri and Platte rivers and a deep aquifer, and the utility softens it before delivery. Most homes predate 1980, so aging pipe, basement drains and deep winter frost shape the city's plumbing calls.
- Median home built
- 1974
- Built before 1980
- 60%
- Owner-occupied
- 57%
- Water hardness
- See below
- Winter
- Long, hard freezes
- Plumbing code
- Local
What Omaha homeowners call plumbers about
- Frozen Pipe Repair
Deep frost and subzero cold snaps freeze pipes in exterior walls and unheated spaces.
- Sump Pump Repair and Installation
Spring storms and snowmelt raise groundwater around basements.
- Sewer Line Repair
About 60% of homes predate 1980, and older laterals crack, sag and let roots in.
Protecting pipes through a Omaha winter
Long, hard freezes · 60% of Omaha homes were built before 1980
Emergency plumbing in Omaha
Call (833) 878-1592Shut off your main water supply if it's safe to do so. The emergencies below are listed most likely first for Omaha homes, based on local conditions.
Omaha's 1970s housing and its pipes
The median home in Omaha was built in 1974, and 60% of homes predate 1980. Homes from that era were typically built with copper supply, early plastic (ABS or PVC) drains, some cast iron.
- Galvanized steel supply (1900–1960)
- Copper supply (1950–2000)
- Polybutylene (some homes) (1978–1996)
- PEX / CPVC (1995–today)
Where Omaha's water comes from
Metropolitan Utilities District draws from the Missouri and Platte rivers and the Dakota sandstone aquifer, and lime-softens the water to about 170 mg/L (10 grains per gallon). [1]
Plumbing services for Omaha homes
Omaha plumbing questions
Is Omaha water hard?
M.U.D. softens it, but it's still around 10 grains per gallon (about 170 mg/L), which is hard enough that some households add a softener.
Who licenses plumbers in Omaha?
Nebraska licenses plumbers locally. In Omaha, the city's Planning Department issues journeyman and master plumber licenses, so confirm with the city before hiring.
What does lime softening mean for my Omaha plumbing?
M.U.D. removes part of the river water's hardness with lime before delivery, but what remains (about 10 grains per gallon) still leaves scale in water heaters and on fixtures over time. Flushing the heater yearly helps.
How do I prevent basement flooding in Omaha?
Keep a working sump pump (test it each spring), consider a battery backup, and make sure downspouts discharge away from the foundation.
Sources (2)
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (B25035) · checked 2026-10-01
- Metropolitan Utilities District, Water Quality · checked 2026-10-01