Safe water is the norm across most of Shreveport, LA - but documented violations push the city to the middle safety tier.

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

Water Quality in Shreveport

We track water quality and home safety data for 35 ZIP codes in Shreveport, Louisiana, covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 209,795 people.

35 of 35 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 1,225 total, including 945 health-based violations.

Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Top Contaminants

Lead Risk

• Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 mg/L
• 72% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 12% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1972
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 45/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 20%
• 5 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 72% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Shreveport 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

101,706 total housing units across 35 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Shreveport:

• 2,236 flood insurance claims on record
• $35,785,030 total paid out
• $16,004 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: AE (High risk)
• 16 of 35 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): 35 ZIP codes

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Shreveport 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 Shreveport 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 Shreveport

• 71101 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71102 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71103 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71104 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71105 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71106 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71107 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71108 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71109 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71115 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71118 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71119 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71120 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71129 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71130 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71133 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71134 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71135 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71136 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71137 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71138 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71148 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71149 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71150 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71151 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71152 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71153 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71154 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71156 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71161 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71162 [B] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71163 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71164 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71165 [C] - 35 violations ⚠
• 71166 [C] - 35 violations ⚠

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Shreveport, LA?

Shreveport has an average Home Safety Score of 65/100 (grade C) across 35 ZIP codes. There are 1225 recorded EPA violations, 945 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Does Shreveport have lead in the water?

The average 90th-percentile lead level across Shreveport is 0.0009 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 72% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.

Is Shreveport at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 2,236 flood insurance claims in Shreveport ZIP codes, with an average payout of $16,004. 16 of 35 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Shreveport homes?

72% of Shreveport housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 12% 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 20%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

What contaminants have been found in Shreveport water?

The most common contaminants by violation count are Fecal Coliform, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), E. coli. Across 35 ZIP codes, 35 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

Copper plumbing joined with lead solder was standard practice through the mid-1980s - a design choice that federal regulators prohibited in 1986. Shreveport's residential inventory, centered around a median build year of 1972, is weighted toward the post-prohibition era. That context is relevant because the primary plumbing risk in older homes comes not from the municipal water supply but from what happens as water moves through lead-jointed pipes inside the structure - an exposure pathway that newer homes mostly avoid.

1972

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Shreveport 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.

Protecting Children from Lead in Shreveport

0.0009

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 Shreveport 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.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Shreveport

0% of ZIP codes in Shreveport are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 2236 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.

2,236

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~112

Est. Claims/Year

Shreveport has a moderate flood history with 2,236 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.