Retired Agronomist Raises Alarm Over Nebraska Town's Water

Concerns over elevated levels of contaminants linked to Parkinson's disease

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:00am

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An extreme close-up X-ray photograph revealing the molecular structure of water, with ghostly glowing lines representing the presence of various contaminants like iron, manganese, arsenic, Atrazine, and uranium, conceptually illustrating the water quality issues in Fullerton.An X-ray view into the molecular composition of Fullerton's drinking water exposes the presence of dangerous contaminants.Fullerton Today

A retired agronomist from Fullerton, Nebraska has issued a public warning about the town's drinking water, which he claims contains dangerously high levels of iron, manganese, arsenic, Atrazine, and uranium - all substances that have been linked to Parkinson's disease and other health issues.

Why it matters

The small town of Fullerton has relied on the same water supply for decades, but recent testing has revealed the presence of several concerning contaminants at levels that exceed federal safety guidelines. This has raised alarms about the long-term health impacts on residents, especially the elderly population.

The details

Randy Zmek, a 72-year-old retired agronomist who has lived in Fullerton for over 40 years, conducted his own water quality tests and shared the results with local authorities and media. His findings show that the town's water contains elevated levels of iron, manganese, arsenic, the herbicide Atrazine, and uranium - all of which have been linked to an increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.

  • Zmek conducted his water tests in March 2026.
  • He presented his findings to the Fullerton City Council on April 5, 2026.

The players

Randy Zmek

A 72-year-old retired agronomist who has lived in Fullerton, Nebraska for over 40 years.

Fullerton City Council

The governing body of the town of Fullerton, Nebraska.

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What they’re saying

“The levels of these contaminants in our water are dangerous and pose a serious threat to public health, especially for the elderly and those with compromised immune systems.”

— Randy Zmek, Retired Agronomist

What’s next

The Fullerton City Council has pledged to conduct further water quality testing and work with state environmental agencies to determine the best course of action to address the contamination issues.

The takeaway

This situation in Fullerton highlights the importance of ongoing water quality monitoring and the need for proactive measures to protect public health, especially in small rural communities that may lack the resources for extensive testing and infrastructure upgrades.