01The verdict: is Rutland Town water safe?
Rutland Town's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (39/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 10 water systems serve approximately 1,248 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
60 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 ↓1K people, 10 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 12.1 ppb — 81% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Rutland Town's drinking water received a grade of F (39 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 10 water systems serve approximately 1,248 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 12.1 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 625 violations on record, including 95 health-based violations. 60 remain unresolved.
Rutland Town ranks #89 out of 90 cities in Vermont for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Rutland Town 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, Rutland Town may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 24 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Rutland Town's water
Every contaminant flagged in Rutland Town, 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.
Near Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb — no lead level is considered safe for children. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection, and running the cold tap 30 seconds after stagnation reduces exposure.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. | 12.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
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
03Rutland Town'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 625 violations on record, including 95 health-based violations. 60 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 170 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 8.4 ppb (2025) — 56% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Rutland Town's water comes from
Rutland Town'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.
10 systems
10 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
1,248 people
Residents served across Rutland Town'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 1,248 people through 10 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| RUTLAND TOWN FIRE DISTRICT 1 | VT0005534 | 401 | Groundwater |
| MEADOWS - GABLES I WATER SYSTEM | VT0021053 | 310 | Purchased Surface Water |
| COLONIAL ESTATES WATER CORP | VT0005499 | 300 | Groundwater |
| RUTLAND TOWN FIRE DISTRICT 6 | VT0005378 | 137 | Groundwater |
| RUTLAND TOWN FIRE DISTRICT 4 | VT0020885 | 136 | Purchased Surface Water |
| RUTLAND TOWN FIRE DISTRICT 5 | VT0005429 | 110 | Groundwater |
| GRANDVIEW ACRES WATER COOP | VT0005237 | 102 | Groundwater |
| HERITAGE HILL ASSOCIATION | VT0021051 | 102 | Purchased Surface Water |
| RUTLAND TOWN FIRE DISTRICT 11 | VT0021007 | 29 | Purchased Surface Water |
| GABLES II WATER SYSTEM | VT0021570 | 22 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Rutland Town
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Rutland Town's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Rutland Town'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
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Rutland County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Rutland Town compares
Scores for nearby Vermont cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Vermont average (84/100)
Rutland Town scores 39/100 — below the Vermont average of 84/100. 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 Rutland Town's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 12.1 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 Rutland Town 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 Rutland Town, VT tap water safe to drink?
Rutland Town's water quality earned a grade of F (39/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #89 out of 90 cities tested in Vermont.
What contaminants are in Rutland Town's water?
Lead was measured at 12.1 ppb (90th percentile). 625 violations are on record.
How is Rutland 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 Rutland Town?
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 Rutland Town's water come from?
Rutland Town's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 10 water systems serving approximately 1,248 residents.
What health violations has Rutland Town's water system had?
Rutland Town has 95 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 60 violations remain unresolved.
How does Rutland Town's water compare to other cities?
Rutland Town ranks #89 out of 90 cities in Vermont (better than 1% of state cities) and #14953 out of 15382 cities nationally (3th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.