About the Project

Starting in the fall of 2024, The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans (TWC) will conduct its second study on chemical contamination across seven parishes in southeastern Louisiana. This study will focus on collecting and analyzing PFAS and heavy metal samples from residential tap water, expanding on our previous 2022 study, which examined contamination in the Mississippi River. Learn more about the findings of our 2022 study here.

As awareness of PFAS contamination grows, so does the need for water utilities to implement more stringent measures to protect communities from these harmful substances. By gathering this critical data, The Water Collaborative seeks to empower local communities with the information needed to advocate for safer water practices in southeastern Louisiana.

Testing will be conducted in seven parishes across southeastern Louisiana: St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines.

What is Cancer Alley?

Cancer Alley is an 85-mile stretch of land between Baton Rouge and New Orleans that houses over 150 petrochemical facilities and complexes. Originally dubbed Plantation Country, the region has a long, dark history of injustices towards Black and Indigenous communities.

In the last century, pollution-emitting industries have continued to surround rural, lower-income, and BIPOC communities, releasing toxic chemicals into the surrounding water, air, and soil. The EPA’s Environmental Justice Screening and Mapping Tool, the EJScreen, indicates a NATA Cancer Risk in the 95-100 percentile for the region. According to a recent study by the Clean Air Task Force,

Black Americans are 75% more likely than white Americans to live in fence-line communities; communities that border industrial factories and plants. Black Americans are also three times more likely than any other group to die from pollution exposure. Anecdotally, residents complain of poor tasting, foul-smelling, and discolored water, prompting many residents to buy bottled water, ironically made from the same materials in the area causing cancer and other illnesses.

Interested in Testing Your Water?

Fill out our Interest Form!

We are actively seeking participants in southeastern Louisiana for FREE home tap water testing starting October 2024!

We will test your home tap water for "forever chemicals" and heavy metals. Join us in making a lasting impact on water quality and public health in Southeast Louisiana!

We are only able to test a limited number of homes. Before proceeding, please review the following requirements. Eligible applicants must:

Receive water services through your local water utility (e.g. not via private wells).
Reside in one of the seven participating parishes: St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles, Jefferson, Orleans, St. Bernard, and Plaquemines.
Provide consent for water sample collection, testing, and reporting.
Be present at the time of water collection.
Allow TWC Water Quality Fellows access to the property for sample collection purposes.

Participant & Program Description

For questions or concerns regarding this project, contact Rebecca Malpass at rebecca@nolawater.org or Taya Fontenette at taya@nolawater.org

The Contaminants

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Methodology

Our study will include rigorous background research on impacted communities, focusing on demographic, public health, and industrial emissions data. We will test tap water from residences along the Mississippi River, spanning from St. James to Plaquemines Parish, with samples collected from over 100 locations. A nationally certified laboratory will analyze the samples, looking for evidence of chemical contamination in the tap water along the river.

Using the right water filter can significantly reduce contaminants in drinking water, offering extra protection for you and your family. For information on selecting the right water filter to reduce contaminants, visit the CDC’s page titled About Choosing Home Water Filters.

Activated Carbon Filters:

Activated Carbon Filters work by using highly porous carbon to trap contaminants as water flows through, attracting and absorbing substances that improve water’s taste and odor.

Heavy Metals: Certain high-quality activated carbon filters (especially those with NSF 53 certification) are effective for reducing heavy metals like lead and mercury.
PFAS: Activated carbon filters, particularly those certified under NSF P473 or P477, can reduce specific PFAS compounds (primarily PFOA and PFOS), though their effectiveness varies by PFAS type and concentration.

ZeroWater Ready-Pour ZD-010RP Water Filter – $32

ZeroWater – Amazon – Walmart – Home Depot
NSF-certified for reduction of lead, mercury, PFOS, and PFOA

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher – $100

Clearly Filtered
Targets 365+ contaminants including multiple PFAS compounds, arsenic, lead, and manganese.

Reverse Osmosis (RO) Systems:

For maximum reduction of contaminants, reverse osmosis (RO) systems are a highly effective choice. This process pushes water through a semipermeable membrane, filtering out a broad range of contaminants, including heavy metals, PFAS, and dissolved solids, making it ideal for comprehensive filtration. Note that RO systems typically use about three gallons of water for every one gallon of filtered water produced.

Heavy Metals: RO systems are highly effective for a broad range of heavy metals, including lead, arsenic, and mercury.
PFAS: RO systems are also effective at reducing a wider range of PFAS compounds, not limited to just PFOA and PFOS.

6 Types of Water Filters and How They Filter Your Tap Water

PFAS Compounds

The EPA is updating regulations on PFAS compounds in drinking water under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), with new rules set to go into effect in December 2024. These updates aim to establish enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for specific PFAS compounds through the National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR).

Environmental Protection Agency. Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS).

The proposed regulations will cover five specific PFAS compounds:

PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid)
PFNA (Perfluorononanoic acid)
PFHxS (Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid)
HFPO-DA (a GenX chemical)

Key updates include:

MCLs of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS.
MCLs of 10 ppt for PFNA, PFHxS, and GenX chemicals.
A hazard index approach will assess risks when two or more compounds are detected.

Monitoring Timeline: Public water systems have three years to complete initial monitoring for PFAS by 2027.
Compliance Timeline: Systems are required to implement solutions to reduce PFAS levels to meet the standards within five years, by 2029.
Public Notification: Systems must inform the public of PFAS levels detected in drinking water.
Financial Support: To assist with compliance, the EPA announced $1 billion in funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help states and territories implement PFAS testing and treatment in public water systems. This funding will also support private well owners in addressing PFAS contamination.

Heavy Metals

Environmental Protection Agency. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR).

The Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) represent a comprehensive effort by the EPA to tighten regulations for drinking water. Finalized on October 8, 2024, the LCRI includes:

Lower Action Level: Reduced to 10 ppb for lead from 15 ppb.
Enhanced Monitoring: More frequent testing, especially in high-risk areas.
Transparency: Mandatory public notifications about lead levels.
Lead Service Line Replacement: A 10-year timeline for replacing all lead service lines.

These measures will replace the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR) and take effect in 2027.