Chalmette, LA Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-04
Within Chalmette, 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 Chalmette Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
What You Should Know About Chalmette Water
- Average lead level: 0.0018 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.43 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Chalmette
Across most of Chalmette, LA, residential water comes from a single utility. That provider sets rates, manages infrastructure maintenance, and files compliance reports with the EPA on behalf of the households it serves. Federal tracking data shows 1 system on record, but one carries the bulk of the service load.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Chalmette, Louisiana (population ~22,461), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 44,783 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chalmette — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chalmette: B (83/100)
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
Chalmette water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 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): 2 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70043 | B | St Bernard Parish Waterworks | 44,783 |
| 70044 | A | St Bernard Parish Waterworks | 44,783 |
All ZIP Codes in Chalmette
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.
Health Outcomes in Chalmette
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
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Chalmette Homeowners
Although the Chalmette remediation share is moderate, it remains reachable for most homeowners who plan for the expense in advance.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Chalmette. The estimated $1,800–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 20% above the Louisiana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Chalmette
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 Chalmette 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Chalmette
Because Chalmette's NFIP claim count reaches 12021 and 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA-designated flood zones, flood exposure here operates differently than it does in lower-claim communities. In areas with isolated flood events, water-quality infrastructure can typically absorb the stress and recover between events. In communities with repeated high-volume flooding, treatment plants face recurring overload conditions, private wells in FEMA-designated zones accumulate repeated infiltration episodes, and distribution systems experience repeated pressure events that can drive backflow. The claim record for this area points to that second category: a flood environment where water infrastructure stress is periodic and documented, not theoretical.
Chalmette has a significant flood history with 12,021 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $75,961 per claim. With 100% 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>$2,500</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 Chalmette, LA