Lead Contamination

Lead in Vermont Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile lead level (ppb) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

2.5 ppb

State Avg

▼ 1% vs national

vs National

Health Violations

Analysis

Lead in Vermont: what the data shows

Vermont has 89 cities with lead monitoring data, with very few cities exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average 90th percentile lead level is 2.5 ppb, compared to 3.3 ppb nationally — better than the national average. 1 city exceeds the 15 ppb action level. High lead levels in tap water typically indicate aging infrastructure — lead service lines, lead solder in older plumbing, or lead-containing brass fixtures. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The 90th percentile measurement means that 90% of tap samples in a city are at or below the reported level. This is the standard EPA uses under the Lead and Copper Rule to determine if a water system needs to take corrective action. An NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter can effectively remove lead at the tap.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 15 ppb EPA Action Level

Vermont

1 of 89 cities

← ▼ 1% below national rate (better)

National avg

352 of 15325 cities

City Map

Lead data across Vermont

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with lead levels above the 15 ppb EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lead level in Vermont

Highest Lead levels (ppb)

All Cities

All Vermont cities ranked by lead level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Warren	40.4 ppb	Yes	50	F
2	Rutland Town	12.1 ppb	No	95	F
3	Rockingham	11.3 ppb	No	3	C
4	Killington	8.8 ppb	No	156	F
5	Bradford	8.5 ppb	No	11	B+
6	Saint Johnsbury	6.7 ppb	No	24	C+
7	Royalton	6.5 ppb	No	19	C-
8	Grand Isle	6.3 ppb	No	11	B+
9	Northfield	5.0 ppb	No	7	B+
10	Hinesburg	5.0 ppb	No	15	B
11	West Rutland	4.7 ppb	No	2	A
12	Proctor	4.3 ppb	No	67	C+
13	Wilmington	3.7 ppb	No	8	D
14	Woodstock	3.5 ppb	No	8	B+
15	South Hero	3.4 ppb	No	14	B
16	Richmond	3.3 ppb	No	20	B
17	Ludlow	3.2 ppb	No	62	F
18	Swanton	2.8 ppb	No	15	B
19	Stratton	2.7 ppb	No	5	A-
20	Stowe	2.7 ppb	No	35	D
21	Lyndon	2.7 ppb	No	6	A-
22	Windsor	2.7 ppb	No	7	B+
23	Williamstown	2.7 ppb	No	16	A-
24	West Windsor	2.7 ppb	No	4	A
25	Bridport	2.6 ppb	No	10	A
26	Plainfield	2.6 ppb	No	0	B+
27	Chester	2.5 ppb	No	1	A-
28	Poultney	2.5 ppb	No	0	A
29	Bethel	2.5 ppb	No	7	A
30	Troy	2.5 ppb	No	21	B
31	Fair Haven	2.4 ppb	No	2	A
32	Newport City	2.3 ppb	No	12	B+
33	Enosburgh	2.3 ppb	No	6	B+
34	Waterbury	2.2 ppb	No	2	B
35	Brandon	2.2 ppb	No	7	A+
36	Arlington	2.2 ppb	No	1	A
37	Dover	2.2 ppb	No	41	D
38	Alburgh	2.2 ppb	No	37	D
39	Lunenburg	2.1 ppb	No	15	B+
40	Dorset	2.1 ppb	No	17	B+
41	Montpelier	2.0 ppb	No	4	A-
42	Jay	2.0 ppb	No	8	B
43	Cavendish	2.0 ppb	No	3	B+
44	Bristol	1.9 ppb	No	3	A
45	Waitsfield	1.9 ppb	No	14	B+
46	Norwich	1.8 ppb	No	10	A-
47	Bennington	1.6 ppb	No	96	F
48	Richford	1.6 ppb	No	9	A-
49	Montgomery	1.6 ppb	No	6	B+
50	Randolph	1.5 ppb	No	14	C+
51	Pittsford	1.4 ppb	No	1	A
52	Brighton	1.3 ppb	No	0	A-
53	Danville	1.3 ppb	No	4	B
54	Williston	1.2 ppb	No	0	B+
55	Derby	1.2 ppb	No	26	B
56	Johnson	1.2 ppb	No	2	B+
57	Berlin	1.1 ppb	No	11	D
58	Greensboro	1.1 ppb	No	11	C+
59	Middlebury	1.0 ppb	No	1	A-
60	Vergennes	1.0 ppb	No	9	A-
61	Essex	0.7 ppb	No	0	A+
62	Castleton	0.6 ppb	No	20	D+
63	Hardwick	0.6 ppb	No	13	B+
64	Winooski	0.4 ppb	No	0	A
65	Jericho	0.3 ppb	No	23	C+
66	Burlington	0.0 ppb	No	0	B+
67	South Burlington	0.0 ppb	No	5	B+
68	Rutland City	0.0 ppb	No	25	A
69	Barre City	0.0 ppb	No	3	A
70	Brattleboro	0.0 ppb	No	1	B
71	Saint Albans City	0.0 ppb	No	3	A-
72	Springfield	0.0 ppb	No	6	A
73	Colchester	0.0 ppb	No	9	C
74	Milton	0.0 ppb	No	11	D+
75	Shelburne	0.0 ppb	No	5	B+
76	Peru	0.0 ppb	No	3	A
77	Manchester	0.0 ppb	No	15	B
78	Morristown	0.0 ppb	No	26	B-
79	North Hero	0.0 ppb	No	36	A-
80	Putney	0.0 ppb	No	10	B+
81	Canaan	0.0 ppb	No	3	B
82	Burke	0.0 ppb	No	14	D+
83	Bolton	0.0 ppb	No	70	C+
84	Wallingford	0.0 ppb	No	5	C+
85	Fairlee	0.0 ppb	No	2	A
86	Shaftsbury	0.0 ppb	No	0	A
87	Pownal	0.0 ppb	No	10	D+
88	Underhill	0.0 ppb	No	2	A-
89	Hyde Park	0.0 ppb	No	15	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lead in Vermont

Is lead in Vermont tap water a concern?

Yes — 1 of 89 cities with lead data exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average is 2.5 ppb. Even below the action level, lead poses health risks especially for children and pregnant women. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly.

How can I reduce lead exposure from Vermont tap water?

Use an NSF 53-certified water filter, which is specifically certified to reduce lead. Run your cold tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting in pipes for hours. Never use hot tap water for cooking or making baby formula, as heat increases lead leaching from pipes.

Which Vermont cities have the highest lead levels?

The cities with the highest 90th percentile lead levels in Vermont are: Warren (40.4 ppb), Rutland Town (12.1 ppb), Rockingham (11.3 ppb), Killington (8.8 ppb), Bradford (8.5 ppb). See the full ranked table above.

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