Calcasieu Parish Water Quality: 195 Violations (LA)
25 water systems · 13 ZIP codes · Home Safety Score 88/100 (A) · 12 of 20 tracked ZIP records scored · Updated
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified:
Violation Trend
EPA violations across water systems in Calcasieu Parish.
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Find the Right Filter →Water Quality Overview
Calcasieu Parish has 25 community water systems across 13 directly mapped ZIP records. The systems report serving approximately 229,908 people. The available records contain 195 EPA violations, including 115 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 59% of all violations in Calcasieu Parish. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 115 | 59.0% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 80 | 41.0% |
| Total | 195 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report.
Cities with Most Violations
| Rank | City | Violations | Health-Based | ZIP Codes | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lake Charles | 103 | 57 | 6 | 135,457 |
| 2 | Iowa | 32 | 12 | 1 | 12,056 |
| 3 | Sulphur | 25 | 19 | 2 | 42,402 |
| 4 | Westlake | 16 | 12 | 1 | 9,183 |
| 5 | Dequincy | 10 | 8 | 1 | 8,178 |
| 6 | Bell City | 8 | 6 | 1 | 2,027 |
| 7 | Vinton | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6,347 |
Violation Trend
Year-by-year EPA violations across water systems in Calcasieu Parish:
| Year | Total | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 7 | 7 |
| 2022 | 13 | 13 |
| 2023 | 11 | 11 |
| 2024 | 26 | 26 |
| 2025 | 10 | 10 |
Most Common Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 23 | 7 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 22 | 8 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 21 | 6 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 20 | 9 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 2 | Yes |
Water Data and the Home Safety Score
This page reports EPA water-system facts without converting the broader Home Safety Score into a drinking-water grade. The county Home Safety grade (A) is a separate multi-source index that also requires PFAS screening, radon, and annual air-quality evidence. Check each ZIP report for the versioned score and its component coverage.
Water Systems in Calcasieu Parish
Calcasieu Parish is served by 25 community water systems, averaging 1.3 systems per ZIP code. Each system is independently regulated and tested by the EPA. Larger systems serving more people typically have more extensive monitoring requirements.
Water systems in Calcasieu Parish source water from a mix of surface water (rivers, reservoirs) and groundwater (wells, aquifers). Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be detected.
How to Check Your Water in Calcasieu Parish
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water-system data including contaminant levels and violation history; the Home Safety Score is shown separately with its model version
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400) can detect contaminants not covered by routine testing
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
Check for lead — homes built before 1986 should test for lead regardless of utility compliance
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 130 enforcement actions against water systems in Calcasieu Parish. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance and administrative orders to formal penalties. Systems under enforcement are required to remediate violations and may face ongoing monitoring requirements.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Source publication schedules vary. See the page source and verification fields for available timing evidence.
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Calcasieu Parish
Water quality varies across Calcasieu Parish's 13 ZIP codes. Check your specific ZIP for detailed contaminant data.
| ZIP Code | City | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70607 | Lake Charles | 49 | 31 | View → |
| 70647 | Iowa | 32 | 12 | View → |
| 70605 | Lake Charles | 31 | 15 | View → |
| 70615 | Lake Charles | 23 | 11 | View → |
| 70663 | Sulphur | 16 | 12 | View → |
| 70669 | Westlake | 16 | 12 | View → |
| 70633 | Dequincy | 10 | 8 | View → |
| 70665 | Sulphur | 9 | 7 | View → |
| 70630 | Bell City | 8 | 6 | View → |
| 70668 | Vinton | 1 | 1 | View → |
| 70601 | Lake Charles | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 70611 | Lake Charles | 0 | 0 | View → |
| 70609 | Lake Charles | 0 | 0 | View → |
What are EPA health violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) - the legal limit designed to protect human health. Calcasieu Parish has 115 such violations. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Water facts and the Home Safety Score
The score shown here is the broader Home Safety Score, not a water-quality grade. Model 4.0.0 combines EPA SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, PFAS screening, radon zones, and annual air-quality evidence. Calcasieu Parish has a score of 88/100 (Grade A) across 12 scored of 20 tracked ZIP records.
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Find the Right Filter →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana?
Calcasieu Parish has 25 community water systems with 195 recorded EPA violations, including 115 health-based. Water quality varies by ZIP code - check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Calcasieu Parish have?
Calcasieu Parish has 195 total EPA violations across 13 directly mapped ZIP records. 115 are health-based.
Which city in Calcasieu Parish has the most water violations?
Lake Charles has the most violations in Calcasieu Parish with 103 recorded EPA violations across 6 ZIP codes.
What contaminants are found in Calcasieu Parish water?
Calcasieu Parish water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. Check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.
How can I test my water in Calcasieu Parish?
Contact your local water utility for free or low-cost testing. You can also use a certified home test kit ($20-$50) or hire a certified lab ($150-$400).