Copper in Vermont Drinking Water
Ranked by 90th percentile copper level (mg/L) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR
Copper in Vermont: what the data shows
Vermont has 32 cities with copper monitoring data. The state average 90th percentile copper level is 2.435 mg/L, compared to 28.808 mg/L nationally — better than the national average. 32 cities exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L. Copper in drinking water typically comes from corrosion of copper pipes and plumbing fixtures, particularly in older homes. The EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L is the 90th percentile threshold — if more than 10% of tap samples exceed it, utilities must take corrective action including adjusting water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. Short-term copper exposure above the action level can cause gastrointestinal distress. Long-term exposure at elevated levels is associated with liver and kidney damage. Flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use and using an NSF 53-certified filter can reduce copper exposure.
Cities exceeding 1.3 mg/L EPA Action Level
Copper data across Vermont
Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with copper levels above the 1.3 mg/L EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.
Top 10 cities by copper level in Vermont
Highest Copper levels (mg/L)
All Vermont cities ranked by copper level
| # | City | Level | Level | Exceeds? | Violations | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pownal | 18.600 mg/L | Yes | 10 | D+ | |
| 2 | Richmond | 3.600 mg/L | Yes | 20 | B | |
| 3 | Jericho | 3.100 mg/L | Yes | 23 | C+ | |
| 4 | Bennington | 2.690 mg/L | Yes | 96 | F | |
| 5 | Wallingford | 2.670 mg/L | Yes | 5 | C+ | |
| 6 | Wilmington | 2.590 mg/L | Yes | 8 | D | |
| 7 | Dorset | 2.320 mg/L | Yes | 17 | B+ | |
| 8 | Putney | 2.220 mg/L | Yes | 10 | B+ | |
| 9 | Londonderry | 2.160 mg/L | Yes | 26 | C- | |
| 10 | Barnet | 2.130 mg/L | Yes | 20 | F | |
| 11 | Cavendish | 2.110 mg/L | Yes | 3 | B+ | |
| 12 | Killington | 2.100 mg/L | Yes | 156 | F | |
| 13 | Warren | 2.000 mg/L | Yes | 50 | F | |
| 14 | Starksboro | 1.910 mg/L | Yes | 17 | C- | |
| 15 | Lunenburg | 1.770 mg/L | Yes | 15 | B+ | |
| 16 | Stowe | 1.700 mg/L | Yes | 35 | D | |
| 17 | Morristown | 1.700 mg/L | Yes | 26 | B- | |
| 18 | Winhall | 1.700 mg/L | Yes | 19 | B- | |
| 19 | Hyde Park | 1.660 mg/L | Yes | 15 | B | |
| 20 | Proctor | 1.610 mg/L | Yes | 67 | C+ | |
| 21 | Canaan | 1.610 mg/L | Yes | 3 | B | |
| 22 | Northfield | 1.600 mg/L | Yes | 7 | B+ | |
| 23 | Montpelier | 1.500 mg/L | Yes | 4 | A- | |
| 24 | Dover | 1.500 mg/L | Yes | 41 | D | |
| 25 | Cambridge | 1.500 mg/L | Yes | 13 | C+ | |
| 26 | Bolton | 1.500 mg/L | Yes | 70 | C+ | |
| 27 | Newbury | 1.410 mg/L | Yes | 8 | B- | |
| 28 | Ludlow | 1.400 mg/L | Yes | 62 | F | |
| 29 | Fairfax | 1.400 mg/L | Yes | 19 | D | |
| 30 | Enosburgh | 1.400 mg/L | Yes | 6 | B+ | |
| 31 | Alburgh | 1.400 mg/L | Yes | 37 | D | |
| 32 | Williston | 1.370 mg/L | Yes | 0 | B+ |
Frequently asked questions about copper in Vermont
Is copper in Vermont drinking water safe?
32 cities in Vermont exceed the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L for copper. The state average is 2.435 mg/L. Copper levels are highest in homes with copper plumbing, particularly when water sits in pipes overnight. Flushing the tap before use significantly reduces copper in drinking water.
What causes high copper levels in Vermont tap water?
Copper typically leaches from copper pipes and brass fittings within homes, not from the water source itself. Corrosive (low pH or soft) water accelerates this leaching. Water utilities with high copper readings are required to adjust water chemistry to reduce corrosivity. You can reduce exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds before use.