Sulphur, LA: 3 Health Violations — 84/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Sulphur tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with LA and federal standards.
How Sulphur Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Sulphur Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 45% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.91 — above typical levels.
Sulphur's Water Providers
6 water systems are tracked federally in Sulphur, LA. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Sulphur, Louisiana (population ~42,402), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 135,604 people region-wide.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sulphur: B (84/100)
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
Sulphur water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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): 3 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70663 | B | 1 | 1 | Sulphur City of Water System |
| 70664 | A | 1 | 1 | Sulphur City of Water System |
| 70665 | B | 1 | 1 | Sulphur City of Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Sulphur
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.
Sulphur Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Sulphur's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Sulphur Infrastructure Age
With 45% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Two regulatory milestones define plumbing-era risk in residential housing: 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines, and 1986, when lead solder was banned from new copper plumbing. A median build year of 1989 places Sulphur in the middle zone between those thresholds — with a meaningful share of housing predating both cutoffs. The distribution shown above breaks out those eras explicitly, clarifying where concentrated risk sits across the residential inventory.
Most homes in Sulphur 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Sulphur
Placing remediation in the context of Sulphur's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Sulphur are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,083–$2,633 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% above the Louisiana average.
Sulphur: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 45% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Sulphur.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sulphur: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Across the multi-decade NFIP program, Sulphur has logged 1465 filed flood claims — a tally that corresponds with 100% of local ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. For water quality, the implications extend beyond property damage: when flooding reaches the magnitude this area's record implies, water supply systems face compounding stress. Treatment plants handling contaminated floodwater intake face sharply elevated contaminant loads. Private wells in low-lying FEMA zones are vulnerable to surface infiltration during each major event. Distribution networks can experience pressure-inversion backflow, drawing untreated water back into the supply. These are not remote possibilities at this exposure level.
Sulphur has a significant flood history with 1,465 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $19,634 per claim. With 100% 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>$1,700</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 Sulphur, LA