Baton Rouge, LA Water Safety: 89/100 (2026)
42 ZIP codes · 8 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Baton Rouge, safety indicators for tap water remain above the LA median — documented violations are infrequent and the city's compliance record sits in the upper tier.
How Baton Rouge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Baton Rouge, LA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Baton Rouge's 42 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Baton Rouge Residents
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,793 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.32 — above typical levels.
Baton Rouge's Water Providers
Across Baton Rouge, LA, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently — managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 8 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 42 ZIP codes in Baton Rouge, Louisiana (population ~386,722), covering 8 community water systems serving approximately 808,354 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Baton Rouge — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Baton Rouge: A (89/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Baton Rouge water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 42 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70801 | A | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70802 | B | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70803 | A | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70804 | A | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70805 | B | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70806 | A | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70807 | A | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70808 | B | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70809 | B | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
| 70810 | B | Baton Rouge Water Company | 596,844 |
All ZIP Codes in Baton Rouge
- 70801 [A]
- 70802 [B]
- 70803 [A]
- 70804 [A]
- 70805 [B]
- 70806 [A]
- 70807 [A]
- 70808 [B]
- 70809 [B]
- 70810 [B]
- 70811 [B]
- 70812 [B]
- 70813 [A]
- 70814 [B]
- 70815 [B]
- 70816 [B]
- 70817 [B]
- 70818 [B]
- 70819 [B]
- 70820 [B]
- 70821 [A]
- 70822 [A]
- 70823 [A]
- 70825 [A]
- 70826 [A]
- 70827 [A]
- 70831 [A]
- 70833 [A]
- 70835 [A]
- 70836 [A]
- 70837 [A]
- 70873 [A]
- 70874 [A]
- 70879 [A]
- 70884 [A]
- 70891 [A]
- 70892 [A]
- 70893 [A]
- 70894 [A]
- 70895 [A]
- 70896 [A]
- 70898 [A]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Baton Rouge Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Remediation Costs Compare in Baton Rouge
In Baton Rouge, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Baton Rouge are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,241–$2,728 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 36% above the Louisiana average.
Baton Rouge: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Baton Rouge appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Baton Rouge: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Baton Rouge carries a substantial flood exposure profile — 18082 claims filed over the program's long tracking window and 69% of ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. For water quality, that exposure level means flooding has likely stressed local treatment and distribution infrastructure on multiple occasions, creating periodic windows of elevated contamination risk.
Baton Rouge has a significant flood history with 18,082 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $38,175 per claim. With 69% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,793</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Baton Rouge, LA