In the fall of 2024, The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans (TWC) launched its third water quality study — and second focused on residential tap water. Building on the foundation of our 2022 Mississippi River PFAS Study and 2023 Orleans Lead Testing Study, this project shifted the focus to households across seven parishes: St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines.
Over the course of eleven weeks, a team of five trained fellows collected water samples from 107 households across 14 public water systems, testing for 25 contaminants, including 18 PFAS compounds and 7 metals. This work was carried out in collaboration with six community organizations who helped connect us with residents, ensuring the study was rooted in trust and participation.
Together, this partnership created one of the most comprehensive assessments of household water quality in the region to date and underscores the need for stronger protections, equity, and investment in safe drinking water for every community.
FROM RIVER TO TAP
Southeast Louisiana relies almost entirely on the Mississippi River for drinking water. The river is the largest watershed in North America, draining about 40% of the continental United States and parts of Canada. Everything carried downstream, from natural sediment to industrial pollution, must be treated before reaching our taps.
Our 2022 Mississippi River PFAS Study revealed that contaminants in the river have the potential to reach households. PFAS were detected six times across five different sites, specifically PFBA and PFOS, with PFOS measured at a maximum of 5.37 parts per trillion. The 2025 residential study connects that source water to what residents actually drink, providing a clearer picture of how treatment systems perform and where additional safeguards are needed.
WATCH THE STUDY DOCUMENTARY
WATCH THE REPORT RELEASE WEBINAR
PFAS
represents a set of over 9,000 man-made chemical compounds that do not break down over time. This means that they build up in our environment, and even our bloodstreams, over time. PFAS compounds are used by industries and the military for a wide range of products, including many household products we use every day, such as nonstick cookware, plastic food packaging, and stain removers. These compounds are flushed into our waterways through industrial discharges and municipal wastewater systems and can re-enter our homes through tap water. PFAS are currently unregulated by the federal government and while public health risk data is limited, the CDC has concluded that PFAS are linked to increased risks of kidney and testicular cancer, low birth weight, higher cholesterol and blood pressure, and a decreased response to vaccines.
MERCURY
is a highly toxic element that can enter drinking water from natural sources or industrial discharges. Exposure to mercury affects the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as tremors, muscle weakness, memory problems, and developmental issues in children.
MANGANESE
is a naturally occurring metal that may also enter drinking water from industrial activities. Elevated levels of manganese can cause neurological issues, particularly in infants, as well as respiratory problems and adverse effects on the reproductive system.
ARSENIC
is a naturally occurring element that can also come from industrial and agricultural runoff. Chronic exposure to arsenic is hazardous and can result in serious health issues such as cancer, skin lesions, and cardiovascular problems.
SODIUM
naturally occurs in groundwater, but high levels in drinking water often result from road salt, industrial wastewater, or water softeners. While sodium is essential for health, excessive levels in drinking water can lead to hypertension (high blood pressure), increased risk of heart disease, and kidney issues, particularly for individuals on sodium-restricted diets.
LEAD
is a toxic metal that often arises from corroded plumbing materials, including lead pipes, goosenecks, and fixtures. Lead contamination can lead to severe health issues, including damage to the nervous system and developmental problems such as delays, learning disabilities, and behavioral issues, particularly in children.
COPPER
is a metal that typically contaminates water through corroded plumbing materials. While short-term exposure can cause gastrointestinal issues, long-term exposure to copper can lead to liver and nervous system damage.
ANTIMONY
is found in industrial discharges, mining runoff, and in some plumbing materials. Long-term exposure to elevated levels of antimony in drinking water can lead to gastrointestinal problems, cardiovascular effects, and liver damage. Ingesting antimony over time may also contribute to lung diseases and possible reproductive harm.
Samples and surveys were collected by pairs of trained fellows, primarily from the kitchen sink at each residence. At each site, three samples were taken: one for metals analysis, one for PFAS analysis, and one PFAS field blank to monitor for cross-contamination. PFAS samples were stored in PFAS-free containers provided by the laboratory, made of polypropylene and HDPE, and kept in coolers filled with ice during transport. The field blank sample was prepared using PFAS-free water supplied by the laboratory.
All samples were delivered to Pace Analytical Laboratories on the same day they were collected to ensure timely processing and preserve sample integrity. Chain of Custody forms were completed with the laboratory, and Collection Reports were submitted to the Policy and Research Team by the fellows for each site.
Analysis followed EPA-approved methods: 200.7, 200.8, and 245.1 for metals, and 537.1 for PFAS.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
FUNDED BY
