Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Lafourche Parish?
Yes, Lafourche Parish's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Lafourche Parish has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Lafourche Parish's water utility, Lafourche Water District 1, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Lafourche Water District 1 water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Lafourche Parish Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Lafourche Parish tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Lafourche Parish's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Lafourche Parish Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Lafourche Water District 1 for Lafourche Parish in Louisiana. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
Is there Lead in Lafourche Parish Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Lafourche Parish water system, Lafourche Water District 1, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.001 mg/L of lead in Lafourche Parish water. This is 6.7% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Lafourche Parish contained more lead.
While Lafourche Parish water testing may have found 0.001 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Lafourche Parish Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - NEW ORLEANS LA NAS JRB - near Lafourche Parish with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Lafourche Parish has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Lafourche Parish Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Mail: | Wayne Gautreaux PO Box 399 LOCKPORT, LA, 70374 |
Existing customers can login to their Lafourche Water District 1 account to pay their Lafourche Parish water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your Lafourche Water District 1 bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Lafourche Parish water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Lafourche Parish water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Lafourche Parish means you will often need to put the water in your name with Lafourche Water District 1. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Lafourche Parish means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Lafourche Water District 1. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Lafourche Parish, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Lafourche Parish Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Lafourche Parish's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.
annualWATER
Quality
REPORT
REPORTING YEAR 2019
Presented By
Lafourche Parish Water District No. 1
PWS ID#: 1057001
Our Mission Continues
Lafourche Parish Water District No. 1 is delighted to present our annual water quality report, covering all testing performed between January 1 and December 31, 2019. Over the years, we have dedicated ourselves to producing drinking water that meets all state and federal standards. We continually strive to adopt new methods for delivering the best quality drinking water to each and every customer. As new challenges to drinking water safety emerge, we remain vigilant in meeting
the goals required to produce a dependable water supply. Please remember that we are always available should you ever have any questions or
concerns about your water.
Important Health
Information
Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly, and infants may be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. The U.S. EPA/
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants
are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)
Substances That Could
Be in Water
To ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U.S. EPA prescribes regulations limiting the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. U.S. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water that must provide the same protection for public health. Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of these contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses
a health risk.
The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals, in some cases, radioactive material, and substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. Substances that may be present in source water include:
Microbial Contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, or wildlife;
Inorganic Contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or may result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming;
Pesticides and Herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses;
Organic Chemical Contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are
Radioactive Contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or may be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.
For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the U.S. EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)
Source Water Assessment
ASource Water Assessment Plan (SWAP) is now available at our office. This plan is an assessment of the delineated area around our listed sources through which contaminants, if present, could migrate and reach our source water.
It also includes an inventory of potential sources of contamination within the delineated area and a determination of the water supply’s susceptibility to contamination by the identified potential
sources. According to the Source Water Assessment Plan, our water system had a susceptibility rating of high. It is important to understand that this susceptibility rating does not imply poor water quality, only the system’s potential to become contaminated within the assessment area.
If you would like to review the Source Water Assessment Plan, please feel free to contact our office during regular office hours at the number provided in this report.
Where Does My Water Come |
Lead in Home Plumbing |
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From? |
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f present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious |
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n 2019, our water department |
distributed |
Ihealth problems, especially for pregnant women |
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Iapproximately 3.7 billion gallons of clean drinking |
and young |
children. Lead in drinking water is |
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primarily from materials and components associated |
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water to our customers. Our water source is surface |
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water taken from Bayou Lafourche. The district |
with service lines and home plumbing. We are |
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has two water treatment plants. The South Plant, |
responsible for providing |
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located in Lockport, has been in |
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but we cannot control the variety |
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operation since 1955. It is capable |
We are happy to report |
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of materials used in plumbing |
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of producing 12 million gallons of |
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components. When your water has |
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potable drinking water per day and |
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that your drinking water |
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been sitting for several hours, you |
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furnishes water primarily to the |
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meets or exceeds all federal |
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can minimize the potential for lead |
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central and south Lafourche areas. |
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and state requirements. |
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exposure by flushing your tap for 30 |
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The second plant is the North |
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seconds to 2 minutes before using |
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Plant, located in Thibodaux. It has |
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water for drinking or cooking. If |
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been in operation since 1989. Its maximum plant |
you are concerned about lead in your water, you may |
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production is 6 million gallons per day, and it |
wish to have your water tested. Information on lead |
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supplies water to the northern portion of the parish. |
in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you |
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Both treatment facilities purify your water through |
can take to minimize exposure is available from the |
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disinfection and filtration to remove or reduce |
Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800) |
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harmful contaminants that may come |
from the |
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source water.
Public Meetings
We want our valued customers to be informed about your water utility.
You are invited to attend regular water district board meetings on the third Thursday of each month, beginning at 6:00 p.m., in the district office, at 5753 Highway 308, Lockport, LA 70374.
Que stions?
If you have any questions concerning your water utility or about this report, please contact Jenny Robichaux by calling
-
532-6924 or (800)344-1580 or by writing to this address: P.O. Box 399, Lockport, LA 70374.
Count on Us
Delivering
complete on a regular basis include:
- Operating and maintaining equipment to purify and clarify water;
- Monitoring and inspecting machinery, meters, gauges, and operating conditions;
- Conducting tests and inspections on water and evaluating the results;
- Maintaining optimal water chemistry;
- Applying data to formulas that determine treatment requirements, flow levels, and concentration levels;
- Maintaining the distribution system by checking for leaks, repairing and maintaining water mains and
- valves, and performing hydrant flushing and maintenance.
- Documenting and reporting test results and system operations to regulatory agencies; and
- Serving our community through customer support, education, and outreach.
So, the next time you turn on your faucet, think of the skilled professionals who stand behind each drop.
Water Main Flushing
Distribution mains (pipes) convey water to homes, businesses, and hydrants in your neighborhood. The water entering distribution mains is of very high quality; however, water quality can deteriorate in areas of the distribution mains over time. Water main flushing is the process of cleaning the interior of water distribution mains by
sending a rapid flow of water through the mains.
Flushing maintains water quality in several ways.
For example, flushing removes sediments like iron and manganese. Although iron and manganese do not pose health concerns, they can affect the taste, clarity, and color of the water.
Additionally, sediments can shield microorganisms from the disinfecting power of chlorine, contributing to the growth of microorganisms within distribution mains. Flushing helps remove stale water and ensures the presence of fresh water with sufficient dissolved oxygen, disinfectant levels, and an acceptable taste and smell.
During flushing operations in your neighborhood, some
Please contact us if you have any questions or if you would like more information on our water main flushing schedule.
Test Results
In 2019, our water was monitored for many different kinds of substances on a very strict sampling schedule. The water we deliver must meet specific health standards. The information in the data tables shows only those substances that were DETECTED between January 1 and December 31, 2019. The State requires us to monitor for certain substances less often than once per year because the concentrations of these substances do not change frequently. In these cases, the most recent sample data are included, along with the year in which the sample
was taken. Remember that detecting a substance does not mean the water is unsafe to drink; our goal is to keep all detects below their respective maximum allowed levels. We are happy to report that your drinking water meets or exceeds all federal and state requirements.
REGULATED SUBSTANCES
Lafourche Parish Water District
No.
Lafourche Parish Water District
No.
SUBSTANCE
(UNIT OF MEASURE)
Atrazine (ppb)
Barium (ppm)
Chloramines1 (ppm)
Chlorine Dioxide2 (ppb) Chlorite3 (ppm)
Fluoride (ppm)
Gross Beta Particle Activity (pCi/L)
Haloacetic Acids [HAAs]4 (ppb)
Nitrate (ppm)
TTHMs [Total Trihalomethanes]4 (ppb)
Total Organic Carbon5 (removal ratio)
Turbidity6 (NTU)
Turbidity (Lowest monthly percent of samples meeting limit)
YEAR
SAMPLED
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
MCL
[MRDL]
70
3
2
[4]
[800]
1
4
50
60
10
80
TT
TT
-
= 95% of samples meet
the limit
MCLG
[MRDLG]
70
3
2
[4]
[800]
0.8
4
0
NA
10
NA
NA
NA
NA
AMOUNT
DETECTED
0.16
5.5
0.051
3.31
380
0.50
0.66
2.08
39
1.0
23
1.38
0.10
100
RANGE
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
AMOUNT
DETECTED
ND
0.5
0.050
3.31
470
0.49
0.54
4.08
39
1.1
23
1.44
0.24
100
RANGE
ND
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
VIOLATION
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
TYPICAL SOURCE
Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
Runoff from herbicide used on row crops
Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal refineries; Erosion of natural deposits
Water additive used to control microbes
Water additive used to control microbes
Erosion of natural deposits; Water additive that promotes strong teeth; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories
Decay of natural and
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, sewage; Erosion of natural deposits
Naturally present in the environment
Soil runoff
Soil runoff
Tap water samples were collected for lead and copper analyses from sample sites throughout the community
Lafourche Parish Water District
No.
Lafourche Parish Water District
No.
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AMOUNT |
SITES |
AMOUNT |
SITES |
SUBSTANCE |
YEAR |
|
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DETECTED |
ABOVE AL/ |
DETECTED |
ABOVE AL/ |
(UNIT OF MEASURE) |
SAMPLED |
AL |
MCLG |
(90TH %ILE) |
TOTAL SITES |
(90TH %ILE) |
TOTAL SITES VIOLATION TYPICAL SOURCE |
Copper (ppm)
Lead (ppb)
2019
2019
1.3
15
1.3
0
0.2
1
0/30
0/30
0.2
1
0/30
0/30
No No
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion of natural deposits
Lead services lines; Corrosion of household plumbing systems including fittings and fixtures; Erosion of natural deposits
- The amount detected value is the highest annual running average. Compliance of the MRDL is based on the annual running average, not the residuals of individual distribution sites. The range provided accounts for the lowest and highest individual residual taken within the distribution system in 2019.
- The amount detected value is the highest level obtained throughout the year.
- The amount detected value is the highest monthly average.
- The amount detected value is the highest locational running annual average (LRAA).
- The amount detected value is the lowest running annual average throughout the year. A water system is in compliance with the treatment technique (TT) if this value is equal to or greater than 1.00.
- Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of the filtration system. A water system is in compliance with the treatment technique (TT) when the maximum level found is less than 1 NTU and less than or equal to 0.3 NTU 95% of the time.
Definitions
90th %ile: The levels reported for lead and copper represent the 90th percentile of the total number of sites tested. The 90th percentile is equal to or greater than 90% of our lead and copper detections.
AL (Action Level): The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.
LRAA (Locational Running Annual Average): The average of sample analytical results for samples taken at a particular monitoring location during the previous four calendar quarters. Amount Detected values for TTHMs and HAAs are reported as the highest LRAAs.
MCL (Maximum Contaminant Level): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.
MCLG (Maximum Contaminant Level Goal): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
MRDL (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
MRDLG (Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
NA: Not applicable
ND (Not detected): Indicates that
the substance was not found by laboratory analysis.
NTU (Nephelometric Turbidity Units): Measurement of the clarity, or turbidity, of water. Turbidity in excess of 5 NTU is just noticeable to the average person.
pCi/L (picocuries per liter): A measure of radioactivity.
ppb (parts per billion): One part substance per billion parts water (or micrograms per liter).
ppm (parts per million): One part substance per million parts water (or milligrams per liter).
removal ratio: A ratio between the percentage of a substance actually removed to the percentage of the substance required to be removed.
- (Treatment Technique): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Contaminants
Lafourche Water District 1
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 78760
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Surface water
- Total: 27
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Arsenic
- Bromodichloromethane
- Chloroform
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Dibromochloromethane
- Dichloroacetic acid
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
- Trichloroacetic acid
Other Detected Contaminants
- 1%2C4-Dioxane
- 2%2C4-D
- Aluminum
- Atrazine
- Barium
- Chlorate
- Dibromoacetic acid
- Fluoride
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Manganese
- Molybdenum
- Monobromoacetic acid
- Monochloroacetic acid
- Selenium
- Simazine
- Strontium
- Uranium
- Vanadium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.