Tap Water Results

Is Central, LA tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Baton Rouge Water Company.

2 public water systems serve parts of Central. The largest, Baton Rouge Water Company, serves 596,844 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Baton Rouge Water Company

596,844 people · Groundwater · EPA ID LA1033005

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 1 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Baton Rouge Water Company results

Across Louisiana, 1 of 263 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 4 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Louisiana results.

Central homes and lead pipes

35%
of homes built before 1980 (Louisiana 46%, US 50%)
3%
built before 1950 (Louisiana 10%)
11%
of households rent (Louisiana 33%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Central city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Central

  • United Water System
    4,446 people · Groundwater · Louisiana · reported ZIPs here
    Arsenic violations

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Baton Rouge 10 mi
Baton Rouge Water Company
Baton Rouge Water CompanyNone above limits1 ppb
Kenner 60 mi
East Jefferson Water Works District 1
East Jefferson Water Works District 1None above limits2.65 ppb
Lafayette 64 mi
Lafayette Utilities Water System
Lafayette Utilities Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
New Orleans 74 mi
New Orleans Carrollton Water Works
New Orleans Carrollton Water WorksNone above limits6 ppb
Slidell 77 mi
City of Slidell Water Supply
City of Slidell Water SupplyNone above limits0 ppb
Alexandria 99 mi
City of Alexandria Water System
City of Alexandria Water SystemNone above limits2 ppb
Central ZIP codes (4)
  • 70714
  • 70739
  • 70770
  • 70818

Questions

Is Central tap water safe to drink?

Baton Rouge Water Company has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Central, LA?

2 public water systems serve parts of Central. The largest is Baton Rouge Water Company (596,844 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Central tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Baton Rouge Water Company had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Central homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 35% of Central homes as built before 1980 (Louisiana: 46%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Baton Rouge Water Company's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.