Baton Rouge – Louisiana – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Baton Rouge Water Company manages a comprehensive municipal water system serving over 500,000 residents across East Baton Rouge Parish. Established in the early 1900s, the system has expanded to include approximately 1,600 miles of water mains, multiple pumping stations, and advanced treatment facilities, delivering roughly 65 million gallons daily to the greater Baton Rouge metropolitan area.
Baton Rouge draws its drinking water from a unique source: the Southern Hills Aquifer System, a deep groundwater resource that supplies exceptional quality water with minimal treatment requirements. This 2,000-foot-deep aquifer system provides naturally filtered water protected from surface contamination. Baton Rouge’s water has consistently been recognized for its high quality and natural purity, though the system faces challenges with aging infrastructure in some areas and salt water intrusion concerns in the aquifer. The city has implemented significant investments in well field management, aquifer protection, and infrastructure improvements to maintain high water quality standards.
Baton Rouge Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 1.8 parts per billion (ppb), significantly below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, reflecting the groundwater source and minimal lead service lines in the system.
- Testing Scope: Baton Rouge conducts over 45,000 water quality tests annually throughout the system, with enhanced monitoring for salt water intrusion and specific contaminants of local concern.
- Compliance Status: Baton Rouge’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality regulations.
Protected Aquifer Source
- Southern Hills Aquifer: Primary source (100% of supply) is a vast, deep groundwater system that provides naturally filtered water with consistent quality and temperature.
- Multiple Aquifer Zones: Water is drawn from various depths (600-2,800 feet) to optimize quality and prevent localized depletion of the resource.
- Aquifer Protection: Comprehensive monitoring network tracks water levels, quality parameters, and potential salt water intrusion, with protective measures including managed pumping schedules and recharge area protection.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Minimal Treatment Required: The exceptional quality of the aquifer source means minimal treatment is necessary; primary processes include aeration, chlorination, and pH adjustment.
- Chlorine Disinfection: Low-level chlorination provides effective pathogen control while maintaining excellent taste and odor characteristics.
- Iron Removal: Selected well facilities include iron removal systems to address naturally occurring iron in deeper aquifer zones, preventing discoloration and improving aesthetic quality.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Pipeline Replacement: Annual replacement of approximately 10 miles of aging water mains, prioritizing areas with high leak rates and oldest infrastructure.
- Aquifer Management: Strategic well field management and new well development to prevent salt water intrusion and maintain long-term sustainability of the aquifer resource.
- Monitoring Technology: Advanced flow monitoring, water quality sensors, and pressure management systems help optimize system performance and quickly identify potential issues.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Baton Rouge provides extensive customer support including free water testing, conservation programs, and payment assistance for qualified residents. The city’s Water Quality Assurance Program offers regular testing at customer taps, while educational outreach helps residents understand water conservation and quality protection. Baton Rouge’s commitment to environmental justice includes infrastructure investments in historically underserved neighborhoods while maintaining transparent communication about water quality and system maintenance. The city’s reliance on its exceptional aquifer resource, combined with ongoing modernization efforts, ensures reliable, high-quality water delivery to one of Louisiana’s major metropolitan areas.
Recommendations for Baton Rouge Residents
Test Your Water
Request free water quality testing by calling the Water Quality Hotline at (225) 389-5100 or visiting brwater.com/testing. While Baton Rouge’s aquifer water is naturally high quality, testing is recommended for homes with older plumbing systems.
Conserve Water
Participate in Baton Rouge’s Water Conservation Program to protect the aquifer from overuse. Call (225) 389-3090 or visit brla.gov/conservation to learn about rebates for water-efficient fixtures and landscaping techniques appropriate for our climate.
Consider Home Filtration
While Baton Rouge’s water is high quality, households in older neighborhoods may benefit from NSF-certified filters that can address aesthetic concerns like occasional iron sediment or enhance taste preferences.
Update Old Plumbing
If your home was built before 1986, consider updating plumbing fixtures to reduce potential lead exposure from older pipes and fixtures. The city offers consultation services to help homeowners identify potential issues.
Report Issues
Contact the Water Quality Hotline at (225) 389-5100 immediately for water pressure problems, discoloration, or quality concerns. For emergencies after hours, call the 24-hour emergency line at (225) 389-2070.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baton Rouge’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Baton Rouge’s tap water is exceptionally safe to drink. The city’s water comes from the protected Southern Hills Aquifer system, providing naturally filtered water that requires minimal treatment. This deep groundwater source is largely protected from surface contamination.
Recent testing shows 90th percentile lead levels at only 1.8 ppb, well below EPA action levels of 15 ppb. The water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards. Unlike many cities with surface water sources, Baton Rouge’s aquifer water contains minimal disinfection byproducts and other contaminants associated with surface water treatment.
Why does my water sometimes appear reddish or brown?
Occasional reddish or brown discoloration in Baton Rouge water is typically due to iron sediment, which is common in deep aquifer systems. This is not a health concern but rather an aesthetic issue that may occur:
1. After water main repairs or hydrant flushing that disturbs sediment in pipes
2. In older neighborhoods with aging cast iron pipes
3. In homes located near wells with higher natural iron content
If you experience discoloration, run cold water for 5-10 minutes to clear the lines. If discoloration persists for more than an hour, contact the Water Quality Hotline at (225) 389-5100. The water utility continuously monitors iron levels and adjusts treatment at specific wells to minimize this issue.
What is salt water intrusion and how does it affect our water?
Salt water intrusion is a process where salt water from deeper formations moves into the freshwater aquifer. In Baton Rouge:
• Natural Fault Line: The Baton Rouge Fault acts as a natural barrier between fresh and salt water, but excessive pumping can draw salt water across this barrier
• Current Status: The utility monitors salt water movement closely; no drinking water wells currently exceed sodium standards
• Mitigation Measures: Strategic well placement, managed pumping rates, and the development of “scavenger wells” that intercept advancing salt water protect the drinking water supply
• Long-term Planning: Comprehensive management plans ensure sustainable use of the aquifer, including conservation programs and infrastructure investments
This proactive approach has successfully managed the potential threat while maintaining exceptional water quality.
Are there water restrictions in Baton Rouge?
Baton Rouge typically does not implement mandatory water restrictions but maintains conservation guidelines:
Year-Round Conservation Recommendations:
• Water lawns before 10am or after 6pm to reduce evaporation
• Limit irrigation to 2-3 days per week
• Install water-efficient fixtures and appliances
• Check for and repair leaks promptly
Aquifer Management:
While water quantity is not typically a concern, conservation helps manage aquifer pressure and minimize salt water intrusion. During summer heat waves, voluntary odd-even day watering schedules may be requested to manage system pressure.
Current conservation status and recommendations are available at brwater.com/conservation or by calling (225) 389-3090.
Contaminants of Concern
Iron
Source: Naturally occurring in deep aquifer zones; more prevalent in certain geographic areas within the Baton Rouge water system
Health Effects: Iron is not a health concern but causes aesthetic issues including discoloration, metallic taste, and potential staining of fixtures and laundry
Current Levels: Average of 0.2 mg/L system-wide, with some areas experiencing higher levels seasonally EPA Limit: Secondary standard (aesthetic) of 0.3 mg/L
Salt Water Intrusion
Source: Natural movement of salt water across the Baton Rouge Fault into freshwater aquifer zones, accelerated by groundwater pumping
Health Effects: Increased sodium content can affect taste and pose concerns for residents on sodium-restricted diets if levels become elevated
Current Status: All drinking water wells maintain sodium levels well below advisory thresholds; extensive monitoring network tracks movement and enables proactive management
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