Mathews, LA: High Radon Risk — 60/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Mathews, LA: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How Mathews Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Mathews Water: The Quick Version
- Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.96 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Mathews
Mathews, LA runs on one primary water provider among the 1 federally tracked system. A single utility is responsible for the overwhelming share of residential supply — including the infrastructure, compliance filings, and rate schedules that govern service for most households.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mathews, Louisiana (population ~158), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 81,609 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mathews — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mathews: C (60/100)
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
Mathews water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mathews
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70375 | C | LAFOURCHE WATER DISTRICT 1 | 81,609 |
All ZIP Codes in Mathews
- 70375 [C]
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 Mathews
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
How Old Is Mathews's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Since 1986, federal law has prohibited lead solder in new residential plumbing. With a median build year of 2003, much of Mathews's housing falls on the safer side of that line — though homes built before 1986 still warrant testing regardless of the city-wide profile.
Most homes in Mathews were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Mathews: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Setting Mathews remediation figures against its property market, the resulting ratio sits comfortably in the low tier — a classification that reflects the kind of household financial position where most homeowners can identify documented issues, schedule the work, and absorb the cost without it registering as a significant budget disruption.
Remediation costs in Mathews are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,100–$2,600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 43% above the Louisiana average.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Mathews
Taken together, Mathews's 7 NFIP flood insurance claims and 100% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Mathews has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $9,449 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>$1,700</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 Mathews
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mathews, LA