Is Barre Town, VT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D, with 19 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
49/100
waterverge.com Barre Town, VT — Water Quality Report
Barre Town's drinking water received a grade of D (49 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 2,735 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 247 violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 19 remain unresolved.
What to know about Barre Town's water
Barre Town ranks #91 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, Barre Town may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 34 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Barre Town, VT water safe to drink?
Barre Town's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 2,735 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Barre Town
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Barre Town's water quality assessment. Grade: D (49/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
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 Barre Town's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Barre Town's water system has 247 total violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 19 remain unresolved. 34 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Washington County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1996. 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 East Orange Branch, East Barre Detention Reservoir, North Branch Winooski River, Winooski River.
Where does Barre Town's water come from?
Barre Town's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 4 water systems serving approximately 2,735 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include East Orange Branch (river), East Barre Detention Reservoir (lake), North Branch Winooski River (river), Winooski River (river).
What Barre Town residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Barre Town'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.
Barre Town'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
Flood & disaster history
Washington County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1996. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Barre Town compares by contaminant
Explore where Barre Town ranks among all Vermont cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Barre Town's water comes from
Barre Town'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 2,735 people through 4 water systems.
Water bodies near Barre Town
Barre Town is located near 4 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Barre Town
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BARRE TOWN WATER SYSTEM | VT0005566 | 1,638 | SWP |
| GRANITEVILLE FIRE DISTRICT 4 | VT0005248 | 700 | GU |
| WEBSTERVILLE WATER SYSTEM | VT0005247 | 367 | SW |
| BIRCHWOOD PARK | VT0005253 | 30 | GW |
How Barre Town compares
Full Vermont rankings →Barre Town's score of 49/100 is below the average of 77/100 among major Vermont cities. It outscores 2 of 10 nearby cities. 8 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View Vermont rankings →About Barre Town, VT
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Barre Town's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Washington
Frequently asked questions
Is Barre Town, VT tap water safe to drink?
Barre Town's water quality earned a grade of D (49/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #91 out of 105 cities tested in Vermont.
What contaminants are in Barre Town's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 247 violations are on record.
How is Barre Town'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 Barre Town?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Barre Town's water come from?
Barre Town's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 2,735 residents.
What health violations has Barre Town's water system had?
Barre Town has 10 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 19 violations remain unresolved.
How does Barre Town's water compare to other cities?
Barre Town ranks #91 out of 105 cities in Vermont (better than 13% of state cities) and #13333 out of 15744 cities nationally (15th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.