01The verdict: is Grand Isle water safe?
Grand Isle's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (82.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,678 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
5 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 ↓3K people, 2 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓4 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Grand Isle's drinking water received a grade of B+ (82.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,678 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 6.3 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 54 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
Grand Isle ranks #46 out of 90 cities in Vermont for water quality, placing it below average 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. 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, Grand Isle may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Grand Isle's water
Every contaminant flagged in Grand Isle, 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. | 6.3 | 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
03Grand Isle'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 54 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
6 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 22 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 6.3 ppb (2025) — 42% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Grand Isle's water comes from
Grand Isle's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,678 people
Residents served across Grand Isle's service area.
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 2,678 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRAND ISLE CONSOLIDATED WATER DISTRICT | VT0020614 | 1,600 | Surface Water |
| GRAND ISLE FIRE DISTRICT 4 | VT0005139 | 1,078 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Grand Isle
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Grand Isle's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Grand Isle'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.
Flood & storm history
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Grand Isle County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Grand Isle compares
Scores for nearby Vermont cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Vermont average (84/100)
Grand Isle scores 82.4/100 — on par with the Vermont average of 84/100. It outscores 2 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 Grand Isle's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.3 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 Grand Isle 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 Grand Isle, VT tap water safe to drink?
Grand Isle's water quality earned a grade of B+ (82.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #46 out of 90 cities tested in Vermont.
What contaminants are in Grand Isle's water?
Lead was measured at 6.3 ppb (90th percentile). 54 violations are on record.
How is Grand Isle'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 Grand Isle?
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 Grand Isle's water come from?
Grand Isle's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,678 residents.
What health violations has Grand Isle's water system had?
Grand Isle has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Grand Isle's water compare to other cities?
Grand Isle ranks #46 out of 90 cities in Vermont (better than 49% of state cities) and #6906 out of 15382 cities nationally (55th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.