Lake Charles, LA Water Safety: 87/100 (2026)
11 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Based on current monitoring, Lake Charles holds an above-average drinking water safety record for LA — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.
How Lake Charles Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles.
Lake Charles Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0008 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,560 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.91 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Lake Charles
Federal drinking water records identify 7 systems in Lake Charles, LA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 11 ZIP codes in Lake Charles, Louisiana, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 135,457 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Lake Charles — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lake Charles: A (87/100)
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
Lake Charles water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0008 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): 11 ZIP codes
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70601 | B | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
| 70602 | A | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
| 70605 | B | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
| 70606 | A | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
| 70607 | B | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
| 70609 | A | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
| 70611 | B | Calcasieu Parish Ww District No 1 | 20,837 |
| 70612 | A | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
| 70615 | B | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
| 70616 | A | City of Lake Charles Water System | 79,500 |
All ZIP Codes in Lake Charles
- 70601 [B]
- 70602 [A]
- 70605 [B]
- 70606 [A]
- 70607 [B]
- 70609 [A]
- 70611 [B]
- 70612 [A]
- 70615 [B]
- 70616 [A]
- 70629 [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 Lake Charles
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
Lake Charles: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Lake Charles market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Lake Charles are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,040–$2,220 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% above the Louisiana average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lake Charles
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 Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles
NFIP data for Lake Charles documents 8567 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 91% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
Lake Charles has a significant flood history with 8,567 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $21,932 per claim. With 91% 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>$1,560</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 Lake Charles, LA