Copper Contamination

Copper in Louisiana Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

100%

% Exceeds Limit

2.032 mg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

303

Health Violations

Analysis

Copper in Louisiana: what the data shows

Louisiana has 89 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 2.032 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 89 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level

Louisiana

100%

89 of 89 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

3953 of 3953 cities

City Map

Copper data across Louisiana

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by copper level in Louisiana

Highest Copper levels (mg/L)

All Cities

All Louisiana cities ranked by copper level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Slidell	9.800 mg/L	Yes	73	F
2	Rosepine	6.800 mg/L	Yes	7	B
3	Bently	5.600 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
4	Noble	4.700 mg/L	Yes	28	D
5	Longville	4.200 mg/L	Yes	5	A-
6	Kentwood	3.900 mg/L	Yes	28	F
7	Dubberly	3.400 mg/L	Yes	2	B+
8	Benton	3.200 mg/L	Yes	43	F
9	Wilson	2.900 mg/L	Yes	8	C
10	Abbeville	2.700 mg/L	Yes	10	B+
11	Monroe	2.600 mg/L	Yes	64	F
12	Sun	2.600 mg/L	Yes	16	C
13	Baton Rouge	2.400 mg/L	Yes	30	F
14	Angie	2.300 mg/L	Yes	41	F
15	Colfax	2.300 mg/L	Yes	28	F
16	Goldonna	2.290 mg/L	Yes	4	B
17	Trout	2.200 mg/L	Yes	8	B-
18	Cecilia	2.100 mg/L	Yes	11	B-
19	Arnaudville	2.100 mg/L	Yes	44	C
20	Start	2.100 mg/L	Yes	1	A-
21	Pine Prairie	2.100 mg/L	Yes	5	F
22	Monterey	2.020 mg/L	Yes	5	B-
23	Tallulah	2.000 mg/L	Yes	51	F
24	Rayville	2.000 mg/L	Yes	122	F
25	Olla	2.000 mg/L	Yes	31	C-
26	Grand Coteau	2.000 mg/L	Yes	21	F
27	Bastrop	1.900 mg/L	Yes	46	F
28	Coushatta	1.900 mg/L	Yes	226	F
29	Scott	1.900 mg/L	Yes	12	C-
30	Franklin	1.900 mg/L	Yes	85	D
31	Egan	1.900 mg/L	Yes	28	F
32	Sibley	1.900 mg/L	Yes	8	C-
33	Greensburg	1.800 mg/L	Yes	14	D
34	Sicily Island	1.800 mg/L	Yes	17	D
35	Collinston	1.800 mg/L	Yes	16	F
36	Mandeville	1.700 mg/L	Yes	170	F
37	Jeanerette	1.700 mg/L	Yes	24	C
38	Centerville	1.700 mg/L	Yes	8	B
39	Mamou	1.700 mg/L	Yes	26	D
40	Archibald	1.700 mg/L	Yes	3	A-
41	Heflin	1.700 mg/L	Yes	15	D+
42	Bienville	1.700 mg/L	Yes	23	F
43	Church Point	1.621 mg/L	Yes	14	C
44	Hammond	1.600 mg/L	Yes	96	F
45	Ville Platte	1.600 mg/L	Yes	40	F
46	Broussard	1.600 mg/L	Yes	12	B-
47	Mansfield	1.600 mg/L	Yes	191	F
48	Gilbert	1.600 mg/L	Yes	158	F
49	Pollock	1.600 mg/L	Yes	17	C-
50	Dry Prong	1.600 mg/L	Yes	24	F
51	Morrow	1.600 mg/L	Yes	0	B+
52	Transylvania	1.600 mg/L	Yes	30	F
53	Fort Johnson	1.560 mg/L	Yes	13	A-
54	Epps	1.540 mg/L	Yes	17	F
55	Campti	1.514 mg/L	Yes	85	F
56	Lafayette	1.500 mg/L	Yes	42	F
57	Covington	1.500 mg/L	Yes	93	F
58	Alexandria	1.500 mg/L	Yes	113	F
59	Morgan City	1.500 mg/L	Yes	20	B
60	Breaux Bridge	1.500 mg/L	Yes	34	D
61	Sunset	1.500 mg/L	Yes	21	C+
62	Winnsboro	1.500 mg/L	Yes	17	F
63	Oak Grove	1.500 mg/L	Yes	21	D
64	Ringgold	1.500 mg/L	Yes	68	F
65	Woodworth	1.500 mg/L	Yes	5	A-
66	Quitman	1.500 mg/L	Yes	32	F
67	Saline	1.500 mg/L	Yes	97	F
68	Gueydan	1.500 mg/L	Yes	12	F
69	Montgomery	1.500 mg/L	Yes	22	F
70	Gibsland	1.500 mg/L	Yes	20	F
71	Springhill	1.484 mg/L	Yes	7	B
72	Lake Providence	1.410 mg/L	Yes	45	F
73	Minden	1.400 mg/L	Yes	40	F
74	Pineville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	15	F
75	Deridder	1.400 mg/L	Yes	4	B+
76	St. Martinville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	80	F
77	Grambling	1.400 mg/L	Yes	49	F
78	Lawtell	1.400 mg/L	Yes	11	A-
79	Columbia	1.400 mg/L	Yes	37	D
80	Jena	1.400 mg/L	Yes	27	D+
81	Crowville	1.400 mg/L	Yes	4	B
82	Bunkie	1.400 mg/L	Yes	16	D
83	Anacoco	1.400 mg/L	Yes	6	B+
84	St Joseph	1.400 mg/L	Yes	56	F
85	Arcadia	1.400 mg/L	Yes	16	C
86	Plain Dealing	1.400 mg/L	Yes	60	F
87	Shongaloo	1.400 mg/L	Yes	2	B
88	Sterlington	1.400 mg/L	Yes	36	D
89	Sikes	1.400 mg/L	Yes	121	F

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about copper in Louisiana

Is copper in Louisiana drinking water safe?

89 cities in Louisiana exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 2.032 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.

What causes high copper levels in Louisiana tap water?

Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.

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