Tensas County, Louisiana
4 ZIP codes · Avg score 63/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
Safe water is the norm for most of Tensas County's 4 ZIP codes — but a notable subset have documented violations that push the grade to the middle tier.
How Tensas County Compares
How Tensas County Compares
Tensas County scores 8 points below the Louisiana state average (71/100) and 5 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 20.5 (asthma 11.3%, diabetes 25.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $2,303, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.463% avg pipe failure probability, 50% of ZIPs at high risk
74% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Tensas County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 25 violations. Past 5 years: 46 total (46 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $2,303
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
3,315 housing units in Tensas County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Tensas County
Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Tensas County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 4 systems in Tensas County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newellton Water System | 1,100 | 105 |
| 2 | Town of Clayton Water System | 723 | 23 |
| 3 | Maitland Water Works District | 900 | 23 |
| 4 | Waterproof Water System | 786 | 8 |
All ZIP Codes in Tensas County
4 ZIP codes tracked in Tensas County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 71375 | Waterproof | 88 | A | 8 (2 health) | $62K |
| 2 | 71357 | Newellton | 60 | C | 105 (44 health) | $58K |
| 3 | 71366 | Saint Joseph | 52 | D | 0 | $103K |
| 4 | 71326 | Clayton | 50 | D | 23 (21 health) | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Tensas County
Designed to find the guide that fits the county, not the other way around — the system reads EPA detections, FEMA hazard layers, and CDC lead-exposure markers, then outputs the categories that resolve those specific risks for households here, with NSF-certified products surfaced when the matching contaminant appears in the local monitoring data.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 74% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Overview
Tensas County in Louisiana covers 4 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (63/100).
3 of 4 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 67 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Louisiana water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.