Is Alburgh, VT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
45/100
waterverge.com Alburgh, VT — Water Quality Report
Alburgh's drinking water received a grade of D (45 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 963 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.2 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 183 violations on record, including 37 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.
What to know about Alburgh's water
Alburgh ranks #98 out of 105 cities in Vermont for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Alburgh may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 32 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Alburgh, VT water safe to drink?
Alburgh's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (45/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 963 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Alburgh
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Alburgh's water quality assessment. Grade: D (45/100).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
1 health-based. Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4720). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3595). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Alburgh's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Alburgh's water system has 183 total violations on record, including 37 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved. 32 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Grand Isle County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Little Chazy River, Richelieu R (Lake Champlain).
Where does Alburgh's water come from?
Alburgh's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 3 water systems serving approximately 963 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Little Chazy River (river), Richelieu R (Lake Champlain) (lake).
What Alburgh residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Alburgh's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Alburgh's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Alburgh
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Alburgh, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CARGILL FEED & NUTRITION SWANTON SWANTON, VT05488 | — | — | 8.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Grand Isle County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1973. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Alburgh's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 2.2 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.40 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how Alburgh compares by contaminant
Explore where Alburgh ranks among all Vermont cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Alburgh's water comes from
Alburgh's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 963 people through 3 water systems.
Water bodies near Alburgh
Alburgh is located near 2 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Alburgh
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ALBURGH VILLAGE WATER SYSTEM | VT0005136 | 576 | SW |
| SOUTH ALBURGH FIRE DISTRICT 2 | VT0020964 | 300 | SWP |
| ALBURGH FIRE DISTRICT 1 | VT0005137 | 87 | SW |
How Alburgh compares
Full Vermont rankings →Alburgh's score of 45/100 is below the average of 77/100 among major Vermont cities. It outscores 1 of 10 nearby cities. 9 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Vermont rankings →About Alburgh, VT
Wikipedia →Alburgh is a town in Grand Isle County, Vermont, United States, founded in 1781 by Ira Allen. The population was 2,106 at the 2020 United States census. Alburgh is on the Alburgh Tongue, a peninsula extending from Canada into Lake Champlain, and lies on the only road-based route across Lake Champlain to New York state north of Addison, Vermont.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Alburgh's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Grand Isle
Frequently asked questions
Is Alburgh, VT tap water safe to drink?
Alburgh's water quality earned a grade of D (45/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #98 out of 105 cities tested in Vermont.
What contaminants are in Alburgh's water?
Lead was measured at 2.2 ppb (90th percentile). 183 violations are on record.
How is Alburgh's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Alburgh?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Alburgh's water come from?
Alburgh's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 963 residents.
What health violations has Alburgh's water system had?
Alburgh has 37 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 10 violations remain unresolved.
How does Alburgh's water compare to other cities?
Alburgh ranks #98 out of 105 cities in Vermont (better than 7% of state cities) and #14297 out of 15744 cities nationally (9th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.