Residents of New Orleans generally live with tap water that beats the LA safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in New Orleans

We track water quality and home safety data for 62 ZIP codes in New Orleans, Louisiana, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 414,097 people.

62 of 62 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 1,116 total, including 496 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: B (77/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L
• 75% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 34% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1948
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 66/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 23%
• 19 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 75% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, New Orleans residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

214,688 total housing units across 62 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for New Orleans:

• 137,923 flood insurance claims on record
• $7,383,851,340 total paid out
• $53,536 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: B (Moderate risk)
• 27 of 62 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)

• Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
• Zone 3 (Low): 62 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What New Orleans Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in New Orleans has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

All ZIP Codes in New Orleans

• 70112 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70113 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70114 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70115 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70116 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70117 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70118 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70119 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70121 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70122 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70123 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70124 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70125 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70126 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70127 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70128 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70129 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70130 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70131 [C] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70139 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70140 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70141 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70142 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70143 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70145 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70146 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70148 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70150 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70151 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70152 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70153 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70154 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70156 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70157 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70158 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70159 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70160 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70161 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70162 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70163 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70164 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70165 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70166 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70167 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70170 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70172 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70174 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70175 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70176 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70177 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70178 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70179 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70181 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70182 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70183 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70184 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70185 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70186 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70187 [A] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70189 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70190 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
• 70195 [A] - 18 violations ⚠

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in New Orleans, LA?

New Orleans has an average Home Safety Score of 77/100 (grade B) across 62 ZIP codes. There are 1116 recorded EPA violations, 496 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does New Orleans have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across New Orleans is 0.0050 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 75% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is New Orleans at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 137,923 flood insurance claims in New Orleans ZIP codes, with an average payout of $53,536. 27 of 62 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in New Orleans homes?

75% of New Orleans housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 34% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 23%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in New Orleans water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Chlorite, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Across 62 ZIP codes, 62 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

Congress banned lead solder in residential plumbing in 1986, drawing a clear line in housing risk by era. New Orleans's median build year of 1948 puts most of its residential stock on the newer side of that boundary - a profile that generally correlates with lower plumbing-sourced lead exposure across the city.

1948

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in New Orleans 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.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in New Orleans

0.005

mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 New Orleans 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.

Flood & Climate Risk in New Orleans

How does New Orleans's flood record connect to local water quality? The NFIP documents 137923 claims - enough to signal recurring events - and 0% of ZIP codes carry FEMA flood zone status. That combination places flooding in the category of factors that can periodically affect water infrastructure, even if the area isn't among the highest-exposure communities in the NFIP dataset.

137,923

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~6896

Est. Claims/Year

New Orleans has a moderate flood history with 137,923 FEMA claims. 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.

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.