Water Quality: New Orleans, LA
4 water systems • 387,921 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
New Orleans is served by 4 public water systems with a combined service population of 387,921 people, and has 96 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 26 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. New Orleans's violation count is roughly in line with the national average for Louisiana. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, Contaminant 2920, Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli.
Contaminants Found
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Water Systems Serving New Orleans
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NEW ORLEANS CARROLLTON WATER WORKS | LA1071009 | Surface Water | 334,903 | 16 |
| NEW ORLEANS ALGIERS WATER WORKS | LA1071001 | Surface Water | 52,785 | 13 |
| LAFAYETTE MHP LLC | LA1055015 | Groundwater | 188 | 47 |
| GIVING HOPE RETREAT | LA1103062 | Groundwater | 45 | 20 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Louisiana
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.