Well water in Vernon Parish, Louisiana
In Vernon Parish, 33% of 39 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for lead (15 ug/L), based on public data from Louisiana LDEQ ambient ground water results (LDH Private Well Initiative) and USGS Water Quality Portal.
44 individual samples from 28 wells, 1960 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 Vernon 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 2020 | 39 | 69% | 33% | 0.294 | 1,072 | 15 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Arsenic 1979 to 2020 | 44 | 50% | 27% | 0.02 | 1,007 | 10 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Copper 1984 to 2020 | 33 | 97% | 6% | 0.233 | 4 | 1.3 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Uranium 1983 to 2020 | 19 | 89% | 0% | 0.04 | 0.23 | 30 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Radium (226 + 228) 1983 to 2020 | 10 | 100% | 0% | 0.27 | 0.69 | 5 pCi/L EPA limit | |
| Iron 1974 to 2020 | 36 | 100% | no limit | 1,615 | 44,800 | 300 ug/L nuisance level | |
| Manganese 2010 to 2020 | 29 | 100% | no limit | 919 | 2,309 | 300 ug/L health guideline |
Sampled fewer than 10 times, too few to summarize: Nitrate (3), PFOA (1), PFOS (1), Fluoride (1), Radon (3), Sodium (3), Chloride (1).
Get the free Vernon Parish well report
One email with the numbers above, what they mean for a home in Vernon Parish, exactly which tests to order, and what treatment fits the local profile. No spam, unsubscribe in one click.
What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are lead (33% of 39 samples), arsenic (27% of 44 samples), and copper (6% of 33 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 Vernon Parish
- Lead33% of 39 local samples were above the limit.
- Arsenic27% of 44 local samples were above the limit.
- Copper6% of 33 local samples were above the limit.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- RadonMedian local reading is 180 pCi/L.
- FluorideDetected 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
- 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 Vernon 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 Vernon Parish.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Vernon Parish?
Arsenic was detected in 50% of 44 public well samples in Vernon Parish, and 27% 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 Vernon Parish?
The median radon level across 3 public samples in Vernon Parish was 180 pCi/L, with a high of 234 pCi/L. New Hampshire recommends treatment above 2,000 pCi/L.
How often should I test a private well in Vernon 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): 120 samples in Vernon 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: 103 samples in Vernon 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.