CITY REPORT LA HEALTH VIOLATIONS: 61

New Orleans, LA: 61 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 82/100

62 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for New Orleans: B.

The model grade is high, but the records on this page include findings worth reviewing.

Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (61 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →

Across New Orleans, LA, the overall grade falls in the upper range - a summary score, not a measurement taken at any single tap.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS

62
ZIP Codes
5
Water Systems
18
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
B · 82
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
County Radon Potential (Low)

What You Should Know About New Orleans Water

  • Your city's water systems recorded 122 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0061 mg/L.

Water Quality in New Orleans

We track home safety signals for 62 ZIP codes in New Orleans, Louisiana. EPA community-water data is directly mapped for 20 ZIP codes and 5 water systems.

18 of 20 directly mapped ZIP records with reported violation counts (90%) have recorded EPA violations - 122 total, including 61 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: B (82/100)

Water sources: Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Total organic carbon Disinfection Byproducts 60 18
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 36 18
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 25 18
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 1

Lead Risk

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0061 mg/L
  • 0 of 20 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
  • 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:

Era Units Share
Pre-1940 64,566 30%
1940–1949 15,447 7%
1950–1959 27,153 13%
1960–1969 23,590 11%
1970–1979 30,757 14%
1980–1989 18,041 8%
1990–1999 8,251 4%
2000–2009 15,632 7%
2010–2019 10,851 5%
2020+ 400 0%

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for New Orleans:

  • 137,966 flood insurance claims on record
  • $7,497,849,783 sum of reported building, contents, and ICC payment components
  • 113,283 claims with payment data
  • 24,683 claims without reported payment fields
  • $66,187 average reported component sum among claims with payment data
  • Dominant rated-zone value in historical claims: B (B/X-family)
  • 28 of 49 ZIP codes with claim-zone records have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims
  • Claim-zone values are historical insurance records, not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory

Radon Risk

62 of 62 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 3.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
70121 100/100 A 0
70123 100/100 A 0
70112 82/100 B 4
70113 82/100 B 4
70115 82/100 B 4
70116 82/100 B 4
70118 82/100 B 4
70119 82/100 B 4
70122 82/100 B 4
70124 82/100 B 4

Areas Needing Attention

ZIP Code Safety Score Grade Violations
70131 77/100 B 11
70129 77/100 B 11
70128 77/100 B 11
70127 77/100 B 11
70126 77/100 B 11
70117 77/100 B 11
70114 77/100 B 12
70148 82/100 B 4
70130 82/100 B 4
70125 82/100 B 4

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

All ZIP Codes in New Orleans

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The Home Safety Score is not a drinking-water grade. New Orleans has an average score of 82/100 (grade B) across 20 ZIP codes with complete current-model evidence. Separately, there are 122 recorded EPA violations across 20 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts, 61 of which are health-based. Check the specific ZIP and serving utility before drawing a water-safety conclusion.

Does New Orleans have lead in the water?

The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of New Orleans is 0.0061 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. 0 of 20 ZIP codes with known action-level status are served by a system whose 90th-percentile lead result exceeded the EPA 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 137,966 flood insurance claim records in New Orleans ZIP codes, with an average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum of $66,187 among 113,283 claims with payment data. 24,683 claims lack reported payment fields and are not counted as zero. Among 49 ZIP codes with historical claim-zone values, 28 have an A/V-family dominant rated zone in those claims. Claim records do not establish current property-level flood risk; check the FEMA map for a specific address.

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, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Fecal Coliform. Across 20 ZIP codes with directly mapped EPA water data, 18 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.

Data Sources

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Housing & Infrastructure in New Orleans

1948
Median Build Year
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

Median build year of 1948 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

1948
Median Year Built
N/A
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
0%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in New Orleans were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in New Orleans

0.0061
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

Available area-level lead records for New Orleans do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. 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.

Historical NFIP Claim Context in New Orleans

137,966
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$66,187
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
57%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for New Orleans contains 137,966 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $66,187. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 57% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.

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.

Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.

Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for New Orleans, LA

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for New Orleans, LA?
New Orleans has an average Home Safety Score of 82/100 (Grade B) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. 122 violations appear in EPA records for water systems mapped to these ZIP codes. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many violations are on record for water systems serving New Orleans?
EPA records list 122 EPA violations, including 61 health-based violations for New Orleans water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 62 mapped ZIP codes.
Does New Orleans water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of New Orleans is 0.0061 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve New Orleans?
Our records map 5 water systems to 62 ZIP codes in New Orleans. The related population figure in our data is approximately 414,097 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). New Orleans, LA: 61 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 82/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/la/new-orleans/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-la-new-orleans,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{New Orleans, LA: 61 Health-Based Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems - 82/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/la/new-orleans/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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