Louisiana Water Quality Report 2026
Louisiana tap water is use filtration based on our analysis of 6 water systems serving 1,088,389 residents. The average PurityMap score is 72.3/100 (Grade: C), which is 5.6 points below the national average.
- PFAS detected in 3 of 6 cities (50%). Forever chemicals require reverse osmosis filtration.
- 3 cities have lead at or above 5 ppb. Homes built before 1986 are at highest risk.
- 6 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
We recommend an under-sink reverse osmosis system for drinking water in PFAS-affected areas of Louisiana. RO removes 99%+ of PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. For hard water cities, add a whole-house softener.
Moderate
Louisiana is 5.6 points below the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 2.7 GPG below the US average of 6.3 GPG.
Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.
| Rank | City | Score | Hardness | Lead | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | 54/100 | 2.6 GPG | 12.0 ppb | PFAS (3.9 ppt), Lead (12.0 ppb) |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | 67/100 | 3.2 GPG | 5.5 ppb | PFAS (2.5 ppt), Lead (5.5 ppb) |
| 3 | Kenner | 67/100 | 2.8 GPG | 5.0 ppb | PFAS (3.0 ppt), Lead (5.0 ppb) |
| 4 | Shreveport | 82/100 | 3.8 GPG | 4.5 ppb | Hardness 3.8 GPG, Lead 4.5 ppb |
| 5 | Lafayette | 82/100 | 4.5 GPG | 3.2 ppb | Hardness 4.5 GPG, Lead 3.2 ppb |
| 6 | Lake Charles | 82/100 | 5.0 GPG | 3.0 ppb | Hardness 5.0 GPG, Lead 3.0 ppb, TDS 205 ppm |
How Louisiana's 6 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:
Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.
| City | Population | Score | Hardness | Key Issues |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 400K | 54/100 | 2.6 GPG | PFAS, Lead |
| Baton Rouge | 229K | 67/100 | 3.2 GPG | PFAS, Lead |
| Shreveport | 188K | 82/100 | 3.8 GPG | — |
| Lafayette | 127K | 82/100 | 4.5 GPG | — |
| Lake Charles | 79K | 82/100 | 5.0 GPG | — |
| Kenner | 67K | 67/100 | 2.8 GPG | PFAS, Lead |
Louisiana generally has soft to moderate water. Average: 3.6 GPG (Moderate). Most residents do not need a softener.
PFAS have been detected in 3 of 6 cities (50%) in Louisiana. Highest: New Orleans at 3.9 ppt. Affected: New Orleans, Kenner, Baton Rouge. A reverse osmosis filter is recommended.
3 cities in Louisiana have lead at or above 5 ppb. Highest: New Orleans at 12.0 ppb. No safe level of lead exists. Cities: New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Kenner.
Where Louisiana gets its drinking water, based on 6 water systems.
| Source Type | Cities | % of Total |
|---|---|---|
| Surface Water | 4 | 67% |
| Groundwater | 2 | 33% |
3 cities have PFAS. Reverse osmosis is the most effective solution.
| # | City | Pop. | Score | Hardness | Lead | PFAS | TDS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Orleans | 400K | 54/100 | 2.6 GPG (Soft) | 12.0 ppb | ⚠️ Yes (3.9 ppt) | 140 ppm |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | 229K | 67/100 | 3.2 GPG (Soft) | 5.5 ppb | ⚠️ Yes (2.5 ppt) | 165 ppm |
| 3 | Kenner | 67K | 67/100 | 2.8 GPG (Soft) | 5.0 ppb | ⚠️ Yes (3.0 ppt) | 150 ppm |
| 4 | Shreveport | 188K | 82/100 | 3.8 GPG (Moderate) | 4.5 ppb | ✅ No | 135 ppm |
| 5 | Lafayette | 127K | 82/100 | 4.5 GPG (Moderate) | 3.2 ppb | ✅ No | 185 ppm |
| 6 | Lake Charles | 79K | 82/100 | 5.0 GPG (Moderate) | 3.0 ppb | ✅ No | 205 ppm |
Louisiana has 6 utilities. Major: Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, Baton Rouge Water Company, City of Shreveport Water and Sewerage, Lafayette Utilities System, City of Lake Charles Water.
Sources: Mississippi River, Cross Lake, Groundwater, Mississippi River via Jefferson Parish.
- EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
- EWG Tap Water Database
- State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
- USGS regional water monitoring data
PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.
6 city water quality reports available for Louisiana.
Kenner Water Quality Report
Lafayette Water Quality Report
Lake Charles Water Quality Report
New Orleans Water Quality Report
Shreveport Water Quality Report
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