What was found in Columbia's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 2100 µg/L 53% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 2100 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 2100 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 1400 µg/L 108% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 1300 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 523 µg/L 654% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 273 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 262.5 µg/L 438% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 60 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 210 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 189 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 156 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 141 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 117 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 32 µg/L 213% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 30.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 20 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 18.9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/5 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 11 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/5 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 8 µg/L No EPA limit set | 4/5 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 6 µg/L 3% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 4.79 pCi/L No EPA limit set | 3/5 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 4.17 pCi/L 28% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 2.4 µg/L 40% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 2.2 pCi/L 44% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 4/5 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 2 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Dalapon | 1.72 µg/L 0.9% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 1.3 µg/L 0% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 1.2 µg/L 2.4% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Mercury | 1 µg/L 50% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Cadmium | 0.9100 µg/L 18% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 0.3000 µg/L 0% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Hexachlorobenzene | 0.2200 µg/L 22% of the EPA limit 1 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0140 mg/L 93% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 5/5 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Columbia
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| HEBERT WATER SYSTEM | 3,048 |
| EAST COLUMBIA WATER SYSTEM | 2,829 |
| COLUMBIA HEIGHTS WATER DISTRICT | 1,965 |
| VILLAGE OF COLUMBIA WATER SYSTEM | 945 |
| VIXEN WATER SYSTEM | 750 |
Frequently asked questions about Columbia tap water
Is Columbia tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 32 contaminants in the water serving Columbia. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Columbia?
5 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Columbia, Louisiana to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Columbia's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Columbia include Fluoride, Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, TTHM. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.