Ferriday, LA: 41 Health Violations — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Safe water is the norm across most of Ferriday, LA — but documented violations push the city to the middle safety tier.
How Ferriday Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Ferriday Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 70 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,800 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 18.2 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Ferriday
Throughout Ferriday, LA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 5 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Ferriday, Louisiana (population ~9,382), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 20,258 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 41 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ferriday: C (55/100)
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
Ferriday water systems draw from: Groundwater.
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)
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 48 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 44 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 18 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71334 | C | 70 | 41 | Concordia Waterworks District 1 |
All ZIP Codes in Ferriday
- 71334 [C] — 70 violations ⚠
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.
CDC Health Data for Ferriday
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Ferriday
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Ferriday's Housing Stock?
With 63% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Ferriday's median build year of 1974 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.
Over half of homes in Ferriday were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Ferriday: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Ferriday, the equity impact of remediation sits at the elevated end of the scale — the cost-to-value ratio is high enough that most homeowners are weighing a genuine financial decision, one where planning and scope prioritization are practical tools rather than optional considerations, and early documentation of what needs addressing determines the shape of the commitment.
At 2.2% of home value, remediation costs in Ferriday represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,100–$3,300. Home values here are 53% below the Louisiana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ferriday
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Ferriday have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 63% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Ferriday
209 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Ferriday, and 100% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Ferriday has a moderate flood history with 209 FEMA claims averaging $10,872 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$1,800</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.
What You Can Do in Ferriday
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Ferriday's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 63% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ferriday, LA