Water Quality in New Orleans, LA: 12 Violations - Grade N/A
5 water systems · 20 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 12 violations across 20 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for New Orleans. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in New Orleans
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70114 | 12 | 8 | View report → |
| 70117 | 11 | 7 | View report → |
| 70126 | 11 | 7 | View report → |
| 70127 | 11 | 7 | View report → |
| 70128 | 11 | 7 | View report → |
| 70129 | 11 | 7 | View report → |
| 70131 | 11 | 7 | View report → |
| 70112 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 70113 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 70115 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 70116 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 70118 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 70119 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 70122 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
| 70124 | 4 | 1 | View report → |
Violation Trend
EPA violations recorded for water systems serving New Orleans.
| Year | Total violations | Health-based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14 | 14 |
| 2022 | 22 | 22 |
| 2025 | 25 | 25 |
Water Quality Overview
New Orleans, Louisiana has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 20 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 12 violations, including 8 health-based violations across 20 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average 90th percentile lead level across New Orleans water systems is 0.0061 mg/L - within EPA limits. No exceedances appear among the 20 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 75% of homes built before 1986, New Orleans has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving New Orleans
New Orleans is served by 5 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. These systems collectively serve approximately 414,097 people across 62 ZIP codes.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
The EPA has taken 180 enforcement actions against water systems serving New Orleans. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in New Orleans
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in New Orleans Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across New Orleans's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 mg/L | 60 | 18 | Yes |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | N/A | 25 | 18 | Yes |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 0.08 mg/L | 1 | 1 | Yes |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA enforceable standard). Health-based violations indicate levels that may pose direct health risks.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded for water systems serving New Orleans:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 14 | 14 |
| 2022 | 22 | 22 |
| 2025 | 25 | 25 |
Violations have increased from 14 in 2021 to 25 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken 10 enforcement actions against water systems serving New Orleans. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-08 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-09-09 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-06-10 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-04-22 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-04-22 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-04-22 | State Order Extension |
| 2025-02-20 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-01-13 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-07-02 | State Informal Action |
| 2024-03-02 | State Informal Action |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2025-12-08.
New Orleans vs. Nearby Louisiana Cities
How New Orleans's water quality compares to similar cities in Louisiana:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 20 | 12 | 5 | 414,097 |
| Baton Rouge | 19 | 2 | 4 | 386,722 |
| Shreveport | 12 | 74 | 14 | 209,795 |
| Lafayette | 5 | 28 | 16 | 155,968 |
Recommended Water Filters for New Orleans
Based on contaminants detected in New Orleans's water supply, these filter types are recommended:
Reverse Osmosis (under-sink)
- Removes: Lead
- Effectiveness: 95-99%
- Cost range: $150–$500
- Certification: NSF/ANSI 58
- Recommended products:
- Waterdrop G3P800
- Aquasana AQ-5200
- Clearly Filtered Pitcher
Water Quality by ZIP Code in New Orleans
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across New Orleans's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 70114 | 12 | 8 |
| 70117 | 11 | 7 |
| 70126 | 11 | 7 |
| 70127 | 11 | 7 |
| 70128 | 11 | 7 |
| 70129 | 11 | 7 |
| 70131 | 11 | 7 |
| 70112 | 4 | 1 |
| 70113 | 4 | 1 |
| 70115 | 4 | 1 |
| 70116 | 4 | 1 |
| 70118 | 4 | 1 |
| 70119 | 4 | 1 |
| 70122 | 4 | 1 |
| 70124 | 4 | 1 |
Common Questions About New Orleans Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in New Orleans, Louisiana:
Is New Orleans water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. New Orleans's 5 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink New Orleans tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 8 health-based violations; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for New Orleans? Based on detected contaminants, a reverse osmosis (under-sink) filter is most recommended. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
New Orleans vs. Louisiana Average
Understanding how New Orleans compares to the broader Louisiana average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within New Orleans.
ZIP Codes in New Orleans
New Orleans spans 62 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 20 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.