WaterVerge

Is Johnson Bayou, LA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: LA1023005
Overall Score
91.4 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#11 of 309 in Louisiana Top 11% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.4/100
waterverge.com
A 91.4/100

Johnson Bayou, LA — Water Quality Report

Johnson Bayou's drinking water received a grade of A (91.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,509 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 3 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Johnson Bayou's water

Johnson Bayou ranks #11 out of 309 cities in Louisiana for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Johnson Bayou relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Johnson Bayou may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.4 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.4/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Johnson Bayou, LA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Johnson Bayou's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,509 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Johnson Bayou

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Johnson Bayou's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.4/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Johnson Bayou's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Johnson Bayou's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.

MCL
Most recent violations:
May 1999 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Apr 1991 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Where does Johnson Bayou's water come from?

Johnson Bayou's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,509 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Johnson Bayou residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

3
Total violations
2
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
May 1999
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

3 Total
1 Active
2 Health-based
2 Resolved
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
May 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1999
Apr 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved May 1991
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Cameron Parish is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

6
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
20.8%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
6
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 17.0 ppb from 2004 (17.0 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Johnson Bayou compares by contaminant

Explore where Johnson Bayou ranks among all Louisiana cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,509
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Johnson Bayou's water comes from

Groundwater

Johnson Bayou's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,509 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Johnson Bayou

System Name PWSID Population Source
CAMERON PARISH WW DISTRICT 10 LA1023005 1,509 GW
Regional Comparison

How Johnson Bayou compares

Full Louisiana rankings →

Johnson Bayou's score of 91.4/100 is above the average of 53/100 among major Louisiana cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Johnson Bayou (this city)
91.4
Jefferson
85.8
Lafayette
35.1
Shreveport
36.5
Louisiana avg
53
City Profile

About Johnson Bayou, LA

Wikipedia →

Johnson Bayou is a small unincorporated community located on the Creole Nature Trail along the Gulf Coast in Cameron Parish, Louisiana, United States, and is named after Daniel Johnson, who came to the area circa 1790. The village is a barrier island spread across coastal chenieres which were formed by deltaic sedimentation by the shifting of the Mississippi River. This geologic formation, the coastal cheniere, is found only in a few locations across the globe. The population of the community was approximately 400 before Hurricanes Laura and Delta devastated the community in August and October of 2020. By September of 2021 the population had recovered to almost 300.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Johnson Bayou, LA tap water safe to drink?

Johnson Bayou's water quality earned a grade of A (91.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #11 out of 309 cities tested in Louisiana.

What contaminants are in Johnson Bayou's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.

How is Johnson Bayou's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Johnson Bayou?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Johnson Bayou's water come from?

Johnson Bayou's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,509 residents.

What health violations has Johnson Bayou's water system had?

Johnson Bayou has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 1999. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Johnson Bayou's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Johnson Bayou uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 3 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Johnson Bayou's water compare to other cities?

Johnson Bayou ranks #11 out of 309 cities in Louisiana (better than 96% of state cities) and #1717 out of 15744 cities nationally (89th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Johnson Bayou's small water system affect quality?

Johnson Bayou's system serves approximately 1,509 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 3 violations on record.