Is Oil City, LA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 39 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
46/100
waterverge.com Oil City, LA — Water Quality Report
Oil City's drinking water received a grade of D (46 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,148 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 147 violations on record, including 98 health-based violations. 39 remain unresolved.
What to know about Oil City's water
Oil City ranks #231 out of 309 cities in Louisiana for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Oil City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 22 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Oil City, LA water safe to drink?
Oil City's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (46/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,148 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Oil City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Oil City's water quality assessment. Grade: D (46/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
2 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Oil City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Oil City's water system has 147 total violations on record, including 98 health-based violations. 39 remain unresolved. 22 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Where does Oil City's water come from?
Oil City's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,148 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Red River Near Hosston, La. (river), Black Bayou At Huckaby Rd Sw Of Hosston (river), Black Byu Nr Oil City (river), Twelvemile Bayou Nr Mooringsport (river), Twelvemile Bayou Near Dixie (river).
What Oil City residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Oil City's water.
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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Oil City
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Oil City, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 10 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
UOP-SHREVEPORT PLANT SHREVEPORT, LA71107 | Ammonia | 10 | 8.9 mi |
SUPERIOR TIE & TIMBER VIVIAN, LA71082 | — | — | 5.5 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D3 — extreme droughtCaddo Parish is currently in D3 (extreme 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.
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) 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. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Oil City compares by contaminant
Explore where Oil City ranks among all Louisiana cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Oil City's water comes from
Oil City's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,148 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Oil City
Oil City is located near 5 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Oil City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| OIL CITY WATER WORKS | LA1017026 | 2,148 | SWP |
How Oil City compares
Full Louisiana rankings →Oil City's score of 46/100 is below the average of 53/100 among major Louisiana cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Louisiana rankings →About Oil City, LA
Wikipedia →Oil City is a small town in Caddo Parish, Louisiana. As of the 2020 census, Oil City had a population of 901. Oil City is located on Louisiana Highway 1, north of Caddo Lake. It is part of the Shreveport–Bossier City Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Oil City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Caddo Parish
Frequently asked questions
Is Oil City, LA tap water safe to drink?
Oil City's water quality earned a grade of D (46/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #231 out of 309 cities tested in Louisiana.
What contaminants are in Oil City's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 147 violations are on record.
How is Oil City'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 Oil City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Oil City's water come from?
Oil City's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,148 residents.
What health violations has Oil City's water system had?
Oil City has 98 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 39 violations remain unresolved.
How does Oil City's water compare to other cities?
Oil City ranks #231 out of 309 cities in Louisiana (better than 25% of state cities) and #14015 out of 15744 cities nationally (11th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Oil City's small water system affect quality?
Oil City's system serves approximately 2,148 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 147 violations on record.