01The verdict: is South Hero water safe?
South Hero's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B (79.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 760 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
1 unresolved violation on record
EPA records show an open compliance item for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 3.4 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓3 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 ↓South Hero's drinking water received a grade of B (79.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 760 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 3.4 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 84 violations on record, including 14 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
South Hero ranks #55 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. As a small community water system, South Hero may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in South Hero's water
Every contaminant flagged in South Hero, 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. | 3.4 | 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
03South Hero'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 84 violations on record, including 14 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
5 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 4.6 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 3.4 ppb (2025) — 23% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where South Hero's water comes from
South Hero'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.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
760 people
Residents served across South Hero'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 760 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOUTH HERO FIRE DISTRICT 4 | VT0020080 | 760 | Surface Water |
05Pressure on South Hero'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
3 facilities 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
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.
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 South Hero compares
Scores for nearby Vermont cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Vermont average (84/100)
South Hero scores 79.5/100 — on par with the Vermont average of 84/100. It outscores 1 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 South Hero's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
South Hero's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
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 South Hero 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 South Hero, VT tap water safe to drink?
South Hero's water quality earned a grade of B (79.5/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #55 out of 90 cities tested in Vermont.
What contaminants are in South Hero's water?
Lead was measured at 3.4 ppb (90th percentile). 84 violations are on record.
How is South Hero'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 South Hero?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does South Hero's water come from?
South Hero's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 760 residents.
What health violations has South Hero's water system had?
South Hero has 14 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does South Hero's water compare to other cities?
South Hero ranks #55 out of 90 cities in Vermont (better than 39% of state cities) and #8158 out of 15382 cities nationally (47th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does South Hero's small water system affect quality?
South Hero's system serves approximately 760 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 84 violations on record.