Gretna, LA: 6 Violations — 78/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Gretna tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for LA — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Gretna Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Gretna Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 76% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,533 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.75 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Gretna
Water supply in Gretna, LA follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 4 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Gretna, Louisiana (population ~58,880), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 424,358 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gretna: B (78/100)
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
Gretna water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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): 3 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70053 | B | 2 | 0 | Gretna Waterworks |
| 70054 | A | 2 | 0 | Gretna Waterworks |
| 70056 | B | 2 | 0 | Gretna Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Gretna
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 Gretna
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 Gretna
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Gretna's Housing Stock?
With 76% 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
Decades of residential development in Gretna took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1970, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city — a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.
Over half of homes in Gretna 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.
Gretna: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Remediation costs in Gretna are small relative to typical property values — the cost-to-value ratio here is favorable.
Remediation costs in Gretna are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,000–$2,333 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 32% above the Louisiana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Gretna
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.
Locally, 76% of Gretna homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Gretna
Across the years captured by NFIP data, Gretna has logged 14430 flood insurance claims and carries 100% of its ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — a sustained record consistent with high flood exposure. The water quality implications run through several pathways: treatment systems repeatedly stressed by high-volume intake, private wells in FEMA zones facing recurring infiltration risk, and distribution infrastructure that has likely experienced multiple backflow episodes during large events.
Gretna has a significant flood history with 14,430 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $8,573 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>$1,533</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 Gretna, LA