Well water in Ascension Parish, Louisiana
In Ascension Parish, iron was detected in 100% of 49 tested well samples from Louisiana LDEQ ambient ground water results (LDH Private Well Initiative) and USGS Water Quality Portal.
49 individual samples from 15 wells, 1956 to 2018. Data refreshed September 9, 2026.
These are LDEQ monitoring wells sampled by aquifer on a rotation, so the shares describe the aquifer, not a survey of homeowners' wells.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside Ascension Parish. Above limit means above the EPA maximum contaminant level; where EPA has no enforceable limit, the row shows a health guideline or nuisance level instead.
| Contaminant | Samples | Detected | Above limit | Median | Highest | Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead 1984 to 2018 | 26 | 92% | 42% | 2 | 248 | 15 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Arsenic 1984 to 2018 | 16 | 69% | 31% | 5.5 | 220 | 10 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Copper 1984 to 2018 | 10 | 90% | 10% | 0.199 | 1.42 | 1.3 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Iron 2002 to 2018 | 49 | 100% | no limit | 1,680 | 104,000 | 300 ug/L nuisance level | |
| Manganese 2014 to 2018 | 25 | 100% | no limit | 963 | 2,020 | 300 ug/L health guideline |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Fluoride (2), Nitrate (1), Chloride (3), Sodium (1).
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What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are lead (42% of 26 samples), arsenic (31% of 16 samples), and copper (10% of 10 samples). A well next door can differ sharply from yours because bedrock fractures, well depth and plumbing all matter, so these rates describe the area, not your tap.
Iron, Manganese, and Chloride are widespread in local groundwater. They are mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Ascension Parish
- Lead42% of 26 local samples were above the limit.
- Arsenic31% of 16 local samples were above the limit.
- Copper10% of 10 local samples were above the limit.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- FluorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- IronDetected in 100% of local samples.
- ManganeseDetected in 100% of local samples.
Treatment that fits the local profile
- Lead
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Certified lead-removal carbon filter; Neutralizing filter to raise pH and stop leaching
- Arsenic
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Adsorptive media (iron-based) whole-house; Anion exchange
- Copper
- Neutralizing filter to raise pH; Point-of-use reverse osmosis
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Iron
- Oxidizing filter whole-house; Water softener (low levels); Aeration plus filtration
Get your Ascension Parish water tested at home
A licensed local water treatment company tests your tap water in your home, walks you through the numbers, and quotes treatment only if something needs fixing. Free, about 30 minutes, no obligation. Tell us what you need and we match you with a company that serves Ascension Parish.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Ascension Parish?
Arsenic was detected in 69% of 16 public well samples in Ascension Parish, and 31% were above the EPA limit of 10 ug/L. Arsenic has no taste or smell; a lab test is the only way to know your level.
How often should I test a private well in Ascension Parish?
Test for bacteria and nitrate every year. Test once for arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride, manganese and PFAS, then again every three to five years or after any change in taste, color, or plumbing.
Sources
- Louisiana LDEQ ambient ground water results (LDH Private Well Initiative): 103 samples in Ascension Parish. Ground water sample results from the LDEQ Ambient Ground Water Monitoring Program, published by the Louisiana Department of Health Private Well Initiative. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
- USGS Water Quality Portal: 30 samples in Ascension Parish. Data from the Water Quality Portal, a service of USGS, EPA and USDA; groundwater samples collected by USGS and cooperators. Retrieved September 3, 2026.
Non-detects count as samples and are treated as zero when computing medians. Exactly at the limit counts as not above it. A sample belongs to the town containing the well's reported coordinates.