South Heartland District Health Department

Laws that Guide Nebraska Public Health

Why It Matters

December 02, 2025

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What the Health Department Is Authorized to Govern

• Reporting and Control of Communicable Diseases (Title 173 Nebraska Rules & Regulations)
• Nebraska Clean Indoor Air Act (§71-5717)
• Environmental Health: Methamphetamine Cleanup (Title 178 Nebraska Rules & Regulations)

Rules in Nebraska that Keep You Safe

Public health regulations, or rules, aren’t about telling people what to do, they’re about keeping us safe. These rules are based on science and help stop problems before they start. They protect things like the air we breathe and the water we drink. They’re especially important for people who might get sick more easily, like kids, older adults, or people with health issues. When we learn about and support these rules, we help build stronger, healthier communities. They stop sickness, promote safety, and help people live healthier lives.

There are public health laws covering everything from disease to individual behavior to the food we eat and the places we live. All are designed to keep us safe. LawAtlas: The Policy Surveillance Portal provides access to key Nebraska public health laws and regulations.

Following are just two examples of many regulated services that we wouldn't want to live without:

Safe Drinking Water

Most of us expect our tap water to be clean and safe. But without rules, that might not be true. Water can get polluted by things like bacteria, chemicals, or metals. In Nebraska, especially in farming areas, fertilizer can get into the water and raise nitrate levels. Too much nitrate can be dangerous, especially for babies and pregnant women.

The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) makes sure public water systems follow safety rules. They test water, set limits for harmful stuff, and fix problems when they find them.

Local health departments work with DWEE to teach people, help small water systems, and reach out to communities, especially when there’s a problem. Without these rules, people might drink unsafe water without knowing it.

Want to check your water quality? Use DWEE’s Public Water Supply search tool.

1. Click the link to open the Nebraska Public Water Supply Systems page.
2. Choose your county under “Principal County Served,” then click Search for Water Systems.
3. Find your water system and click its Water System Number.
4. Look on the left side of the page for test results and other information. You can also visit SHDHD’s Well Water page to see local water trends and past problems.

Food Safety

Food can make people sick if it’s not handled the right way. That’s why the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) checks places like restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, and food factories. They make sure food is stored, cooked, and cleaned properly.

Without these rules, a restaurant might serve raw or undercooked meat, or allow germs to spread from uncooked to ready-to-eat food. This could cause intestinal illnesses (for example, from bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella). Inspectors check things like food temperature, cleanliness, pest control, and hygiene.

Local health departments help NDA when there are complaints, problems during inspections, or when businesses need help learning better food safety practices.

Want to see food inspection reports? Use NDA’s public search tool.

1. Click the link to open the inspection search tool.
2. Type your city or town name in the box labeled “AGR FS PAV City”.

How Your Health Department Is Structured to Function

Chapter 71-- Public Health & Welfare, Nebraska Revised Statutes

• Terms, defined (§71-1626)
• Legislative intent (§71-1626.01)
• Local public health department; health directors; other personnel (§71-1627)
• Core public health functions (§71-1628.04)
• Report (§71-1628.05)
• County Public Health Aid Program; created; funds;distribution (§71-1628.08)
• District health department; county board; levy; limitation (§71-1629.01)
• Local boards of health; membership; terms; vacancies; duties (§71-1630)
• Local boards of health; meetings; expenses; powers and duties; rules and regulations; pension and retirement plans (§71-1631)
• Local boards of health; rules and regulations; violations; penalty (§71-1631.01)
• Health director; powers; duties (§71-1632)