Well water in Rapides Parish, Louisiana
In Rapides Parish, 16% of 45 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for lead (15 ug/L), based on public data from USGS Water Quality Portal and Louisiana LDEQ ambient ground water results (LDH Private Well Initiative).
49 individual samples from 43 wells, 1938 to 2020. 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 Rapides 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 1972 to 2020 | 45 | 67% | 16% | 0 | 1,090 | 15 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Arsenic 1972 to 2020 | 46 | 72% | 15% | 1 | 1,124 | 10 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Uranium 1980 to 2020 | 49 | 90% | 0% | 0.06 | 7.1 | 30 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Radium (226 + 228) 1980 to 2020 | 30 | 93% | 0% | 0.11 | 0.42 | 5 pCi/L EPA limit | |
| Nitrate 1958 to 2013 | 17 | 29% | 0% | 0 | 0.12 | 10 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Fluoride 1941 to 1979 | 10 | 100% | 0% | 0.75 | 2 | 4 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Iron 1969 to 2019 | 40 | 100% | no limit | 1,365 | 96,900 | 300 ug/L nuisance level | |
| Manganese 1964 to 2019 | 36 | 100% | no limit | 148 | 2,200 | 300 ug/L health guideline |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Copper (9), PFOA (1), PFOS (1), Sodium (9), Radon (4), Chloride (3).
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What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are lead (16% of 45 samples) and arsenic (15% of 46 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 Rapides Parish
- Lead16% of 45 local samples were above the limit.
- Arsenic15% of 46 local samples were above the limit.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- RadonMedian local reading is 220 pCi/L.
- FluorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- CopperDetected in 100% of local samples.
- IronDetected 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
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Copper
- Neutralizing filter to raise pH; Point-of-use reverse osmosis
- Iron
- Oxidizing filter whole-house; Water softener (low levels); Aeration plus filtration
Get your Rapides 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 Rapides Parish.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Rapides Parish?
Arsenic was detected in 72% of 46 public well samples in Rapides Parish, and 15% 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 high is radon in well water in Rapides Parish?
The median radon level across 4 public samples in Rapides Parish was 220 pCi/L, with a high of 330 pCi/L. New Hampshire recommends treatment above 2,000 pCi/L.
How often should I test a private well in Rapides 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
- USGS Water Quality Portal: 214 samples in Rapides 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.
- Louisiana LDEQ ambient ground water results (LDH Private Well Initiative): 86 samples in Rapides 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.
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.