Sulphur, LA: 12 Health Violations - Home Safety 83/100
3 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Sulphur: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: match a filter's certification to the violations (12 health-based violations). NSF certified filters →
Tap water system records for Sulphur, LA support a high grade on this site; review your own system's entries for specifics.
How Sulphur Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Sulphur Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 45% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.91.
Sulphur's Water Providers
Among 7 systems linked to Sulphur, LA, the 3 biggest by population served appear below.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Sulphur, Louisiana (population ~42,402), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 136,222 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 12 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sulphur: B (83/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Sulphur water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
3 of 3 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundwater Rule | Treatment Technique | 28 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 6 | 2 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 3 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70663 | B | 16 | 12 | Sulphur City of Water System |
| 70665 | B | 9 | 7 | Calcasieu Parish Ww District 9 Carlyss |
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Sulphur Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
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. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Over the decades, Sulphur accumulated housing from multiple construction periods. The median build year of 1989 can be read against 1986, when lead solder in plumbing became federally prohibited - a regulatory line, not a safety line, and individual homes on either side of it can have different plumbing.
Most homes in Sulphur 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Sulphur
How large is the remediation estimate next to home prices in Sulphur? Small in relative terms: it amounts to 1% of the median value or less, although the dollar figure below is still an estimate and actual costs vary by property and contractor.
Estimated remediation costs in Sulphur can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 35% above the Louisiana average.
Sulphur: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Sulphur: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Sulphur contains 1,468 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $28,285. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 67% 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. The $600 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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 Sulphur, LA