01The verdict: is Mer Rouge water safe?
Mer Rouge's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,754 residents using groundwater (wells).
7 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓2 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Mer Rouge's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,754 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 19 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
Mer Rouge ranks #57 out of 309 cities in Louisiana for water quality, placing it above average in the state. Mer Rouge 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, Mer Rouge may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Mer Rouge's water
Every contaminant flagged in Mer Rouge, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Louisiana
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Louisiana
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Mer Rouge's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 19 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 7 remain unresolved.
7 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 6 ppb since 2002. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2024) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Mer Rouge's water comes from
Mer Rouge's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under private ownership.
2,754 people
Residents served across Mer Rouge's service area.
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 private ownership and serves approximately 2,754 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BAYOU BONNE IDEE WS | LA1067002 | 1,656 | Groundwater |
| MER ROUGE WATER SYSTEM | LA1067009 | 1,098 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Mer Rouge
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Mer Rouge's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Drought
Morehouse Parish is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Mer Rouge compares
Scores for nearby Louisiana cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Louisiana average (53/100)
Mer Rouge scores 86.3/100 — above the Louisiana average of 53/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Louisiana rankings →
43.2 / 100AJefferson, LA
85.8 / 100FNew Orleans, LA
34.1 / 100FLafayette, LA
35.1 / 100FShreveport, LA
36.5 / 100BHouma, LA
82.4 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Mer Rouge's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Mer Rouge's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Mer Rouge alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Mer Rouge, LA tap water safe to drink?
Mer Rouge's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #57 out of 309 cities tested in Louisiana.
What contaminants are in Mer Rouge's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 19 violations are on record.
How is Mer Rouge'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 Mer Rouge?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Mer Rouge's water come from?
Mer Rouge's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,754 residents.
What health violations has Mer Rouge's water system had?
Mer Rouge has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 7 violations remain unresolved.
Is Mer Rouge's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Mer Rouge 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 19 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 Mer Rouge's water compare to other cities?
Mer Rouge ranks #57 out of 309 cities in Louisiana (better than 82% of state cities) and #4732 out of 15382 cities nationally (69th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.