New Orleans
New Orleans, LA water profile — supply sources, drought status, wastewater reuse, and the key water issues facing the city.
new orleans carrollton water works
surface water (rivers/reservoirs) · local government · PWSID LA1071009
Below EPA's 15 ppb lead action level at last testing.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · 2026 Q1
New Orleans, LA is a large city, with a population near 389,617 and the largest community in Louisiana. Like much of Louisiana, New Orleans draws its water primarily from Mississippi River, Sparta aquifer, and Chicot aquifer.
New Orleans's water outlook is shaped most by saltwater intrusion — the issue that dominates planning across Louisiana. Mississippi River saltwater intrusion during low-flow periods has threatened New Orleans-area drinking water.
New Orleans sits in a state that reuses roughly 4% of treated wastewater (minimal programs) and currently experiences severe to extreme drought.
For the bigger picture, see the Louisiana state water profile and the related issues below.
Orleans Parish County water quality
Source: EPA SDWIS · 2026 Q1
At a glance
- Population ~389,617 (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 New Orleans?
New Orleans's largest water system, NEW ORLEANS CARROLLTON WATER WORKS, serves about 334,903 people. EPA records show 1 health-based violation(s) since 2016 and a most-recent 90th-percentile lead level of 6 ppb (EPA action level is 15 ppb). Always check your own provider's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
Where does New Orleans get its water?
NEW ORLEANS CARROLLTON WATER WORKS draws primarily from surface water (rivers/reservoirs), part of Louisiana's supply from 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.
Explore