Metairie Terrace
Metairie Terrace, LA water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
With about 142,489 residents, Metairie Terrace ranks as the 4th-largest city in Louisiana and a mid-sized city. Water in Metairie Terrace is sourced chiefly from Mississippi River, Sparta aquifer, and Chicot aquifer, the backbone of Louisiana's supply.
The defining water pressure here mirrors the state's: saltwater intrusion. Mississippi River saltwater intrusion during low-flow periods has threatened New Orleans-area drinking water.
Statewide, Louisiana recycles about 4% of its wastewater with minimal reuse programs. Locally, Metairie Terrace faces severe to extreme drought conditions.
The Louisiana state profile covers the regional supply outlook; the issues below detail what's driving Metairie Terrace's water future.
At a glance
- Population ~142,489 (4th-largest in Louisiana)
- Primary sources: Mississippi River, Sparta aquifer, and Chicot aquifer
- Drought: severe to extreme conditions
- State reuse rate: ~4% of wastewater
Statewide drought history
% of Louisiana in severe+ drought (Extreme (D3) now).
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor
Common questions
Is tap water safe in Metairie Terrace?
Metairie Terrace is served by community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Statewide, 63.1% of Louisiana's systems have a recent health-based violation. Check your provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report for local results.
Where does Metairie Terrace get its water?
Metairie Terrace draws from the same regional sources that serve Louisiana: Mississippi River, Sparta aquifer, Chicot aquifer.
Related water issues
Saltwater Intrusion
As coastal aquifers are over-pumped and seas rise, saltwater pushes inland and contaminates freshwater supplies for cities from Florida to California.
ExploreGroundwater Depletion
Aquifers from the Central Valley to the Ogallala are being pumped faster than they recharge, causing land subsidence and threatening long-term supply.
ExploreAging Infrastructure
Much of America's water infrastructure is decades past its design life, leaking trillions of gallons a year and demanding hundreds of billions in reinvestment.
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