Lafayette, LA Water Safety: 89/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 15 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Lafayette have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in LA reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Lafayette Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Lafayette, LA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Lafayette.
Lafayette Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,545 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.68 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 15 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Lafayette, Louisiana (population ~155,968), covering 15 community water systems serving approximately 262,538 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Lafayette — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lafayette: 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
Lafayette water systems draw from: Groundwater.
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): 14 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70500 | A | Lafayette Utilities Water System | 169,389 |
| 70501 | B | Lafayette Utilities Water System | 169,389 |
| 70502 | A | Lafayette Utilities Water System | 169,389 |
| 70503 | B | Lpwdn South Region | 4,032 |
| 70504 | A | Lafayette Utilities Water System | 169,389 |
| 70505 | A | Lafayette Utilities Water System | 169,389 |
| 70506 | B | Lpwd South | 15,132 |
| 70507 | B | Lafayette Utilities Water System | 169,389 |
| 70508 | B | Milton Purchase Water System | 11,430 |
| 70509 | A | Lafayette Utilities Water System | 169,389 |
All ZIP Codes in Lafayette
- 70500 [A]
- 70501 [B]
- 70502 [A]
- 70503 [B]
- 70504 [A]
- 70505 [A]
- 70506 [B]
- 70507 [B]
- 70508 [B]
- 70509 [A]
- 70593 [A]
- 70595 [A]
- 70596 [A]
- 70598 [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.
CDC Health Data for Lafayette
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
Lafayette: Remediation Cost in Perspective
How much of a Lafayette home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Lafayette are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,055–$2,327 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 27% above the Louisiana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lafayette
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 Lafayette 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Lafayette
Because Lafayette's NFIP claim count reaches 3986 and 71% 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.
Lafayette has a significant flood history with 3,986 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $24,555 per claim. With 71% 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>$1,545</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 Lafayette, LA