01The verdict: is Bradford water safe?
Bradford's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (84.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,512 residents using groundwater (wells).
3 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Bradford's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,512 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 8.5 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 133 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Bradford ranks #33 out of 90 cities in Vermont for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Bradford relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Bradford may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Bradford's water
Every contaminant flagged in Bradford, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 8.5 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Vermont
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Vermont
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Bradford's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 133 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Bradford.
▲ Up 8.5 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 8.5 ppb (2025) — 57% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Bradford's water comes from
Bradford's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,512 people
Residents served across Bradford's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,512 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRADFORD VILLAGE WATER SYSTEM | VT0005170 | 1,512 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Bradford's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Orange County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Superfund proximity
1 National Priorities List site within 10 miles. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.
06How Bradford compares
Scores for nearby Vermont cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Vermont average (84/100)
Bradford scores 84.7/100 — on par with the Vermont average of 84/100. It outscores 3 of 10 nearby cities. Full Vermont rankings →
84.6 / 100BSouth Burlington, VT
84.9 / 100AEssex, VT
95 / 100ARutland City, VT
91.8 / 100FBennington, VT
44.9 / 100ABarre City, VT
92.2 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Bradford's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 8.5 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Bradford alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Bradford, VT tap water safe to drink?
Bradford's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #33 out of 90 cities tested in Vermont.
What contaminants are in Bradford's water?
Lead was measured at 8.5 ppb (90th percentile). 133 violations are on record.
How is Bradford'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 Bradford?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Bradford's water come from?
Bradford's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,512 residents.
What health violations has Bradford's water system had?
Bradford has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2013. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Bradford's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Bradford uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 133 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Bradford's water compare to other cities?
Bradford ranks #33 out of 90 cities in Vermont (better than 63% of state cities) and #5697 out of 15382 cities nationally (63th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Bradford's small water system affect quality?
Bradford's system serves approximately 1,512 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 133 violations on record.