New Orleans, LA: 496 Health Violations — 77/100 (2026)
62 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Residents of New Orleans generally live with tap water that beats the LA safety average on key EPA compliance metrics.
How New Orleans Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: New Orleans, LA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in New Orleans score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About New Orleans Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 1116 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,139 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.98 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in New Orleans
Throughout New Orleans, LA, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 5 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
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. 496 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for New Orleans: B (77/100)
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
New Orleans water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 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): 62 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 441 | 62 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 126 | 62 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 126 | 62 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 126 | 62 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 126 | 62 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70112 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70113 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70114 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70115 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70116 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70117 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70118 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70119 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70121 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
| 70122 | C | 18 | 8 | New Orleans Carrollton Water Works |
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 ⚠
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.
Health Outcomes in New Orleans
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
Top Contaminants in New Orleans Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for New Orleans Homeowners
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in New Orleans is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.
Remediation costs in New Orleans are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,355–$3,802 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 61% above the Louisiana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in New Orleans
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
Flood claims in New Orleans number 137923 under the NFIP, and 79% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA-designated zones — together reflecting a community where flooding is a recurring, significant feature of the local risk environment with direct implications for periodic water supply safety.
New Orleans has a significant flood history with 137,923 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $46,432 per claim. With 79% 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>$2,139</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 New Orleans, LA