Vermont Water Quality — 90 Cities Tested

Analysis

Vermont water quality overview

Vermont's drinking water quality is good overall, with an average score of 76.7 out of 100 across 90 cities tested. The median score is 82.4, serving a total population of 394,156 residents. 72% of cities earned an A or B grade, indicating broadly strong water quality infrastructure across the state. PFAS "forever chemicals" were detected in 3 of 90 cities tested (3%). 1 city exceeds the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. 1 city has lead levels exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb, often indicating aging infrastructure with lead service lines or lead solder. The state relies on a mix of water sources: 56 cities use groundwater while 34 draw from surface water such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

Key Concerns

Issues to watch in Vermont

3 cities

PFAS Detected

3% of tested cities have PFAS in their water supply.

1 cities

Lead Exceedances

Lead levels above the EPA action level of 15 ppb (90th percentile).

82 cities

Health Violations

11,179 total violations recorded, 88 with unresolved issues.

5 cities

Failing Systems

Received a grade of F, indicating serious water quality issues.

Contaminant Data

Explore contaminants in Vermont

Lead in Vermont → Ranked by 90th percentile level (ppb) PFAS in Vermont → Ranked by compounds detected Copper in Vermont → Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)

More contaminants tested in Vermont

HAA5 → Chromium-6 → Arsenic → Nitrate → Strontium → 1,4-Dioxane → Manganese → Vanadium → Chlorate → Molybdenum → NDMA →

State context

12

Superfund sites in Vermont

EPA National Priorities List

56.3%

of Vermont residents on fluoridated water

CDC, 2020

104,398

lbs released to surface water

Top 10 TRI facilities, 2023

26.0%

of Vermont domestic wells exceed EPA arsenic limit

USGS, 50 samples · 10 µg/L MCL

Domestic well chemistry

Private-well water in Vermont

Based on USGS Powell Domestic-Well Database — 244 private wells sampled across Vermont. These wells are not regulated by the EPA; if you draw your tap from a private well, the public-system grade above does not apply to you.

7.0 µg/L

Median arsenic in domestic wells

P90 31.2 µg/L · max 36.0 µg/L

2 µg/L

Median manganese in domestic wells

5.6% exceed 300 µg/L aesthetic limit

Industrial pollution

Top industrial water polluters in Vermont

Industrial polluters nearby

The 10 facilities reporting the most pounds released to surface water in Vermont, 2023.

Total reported releases to surface water: 104,398 lbs

Facility	Top chemical	To surface water (lbs/yr)
GLOBALFOUNDRIES U.S. 2 LLC - VERMONT FACILITY Computers and Electronic Products · GLOBALFOUNDRIES US INC ESSEX JUNCTION, VT05452	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	103,621
PERRIGO NUTRITIONALS Food · PERRIGO CO GEORGIA, VT05468	Nitrate compounds (water dissociable; reportable only when in aqueous solution)	777
WESTROCK CONVERTING LLC Paper · SMURFIT WESTROCK US HOLDING CO SHELDON SPRINGS, VT05485	Lead And Lead Compounds	0

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Test your own tap

Get your Vermont water tested

City-level data shows the source and infrastructure picture — but lead and other home-plumbing issues only show up at your tap. Find a state-certified lab, see what to test for, and what it costs.

Grade Distribution

How Vermont cities scored

A: 31 B: 34 C: 11 D: 9 F: 5

Best Cities

Worst Cities

City Map

Water quality across Vermont

Each dot is a city, colored by its water quality grade. Size reflects population served. Click any city to view its full water report.

All Cities

90 cities in Vermont

Full rankings →

#	City	Grade	Score	Population	Violations
1	Essex	A+	95	19K	4
2	Brandon	A+	95	4K	36
3	Bridport	A	94.8	4K	15
4	Winooski	A	94.3	9K	2
5	Fairlee	A	94.2	967	5
6	Shaftsbury	A	94.2	950	11
7	Peru	A	93.9	4K	13
8	Arlington	A	93.9	1K	10
9	West Windsor	A	93.8	750	11
10	Pittsford	A	92.3	2K	87
11	Barre City	A	92.2	14K	6
12	Rutland City	A	91.8	19K	26
13	West Rutland	A	91.7	2K	7
14	Bristol	A	91.7	2K	38
15	Springfield	A	91.6	10K	15
16	Bethel	A	91.5	2K	22
17	Poultney	A	91.3	2K	8
18	Fair Haven	A	90.7	3K	15
19	Underhill	A-	89.9	825	7
20	Brighton	A-	89.2	1K	4
21	Saint Albans City	A-	88.6	10K	13
22	Middlebury	A-	88.2	9K	39
23	Vergennes	A-	87.8	5K	82
24	Richford	A-	87.8	3K	65
25	Lyndon	A-	87.6	4K	37
26	Williamstown	A-	86.8	985	59
27	Stratton	A-	86.6	6K	26
28	North Hero	A-	86.4	3K	74
29	Chester	A-	85.9	3K	85
30	Norwich	A-	85.7	906	149
31	Montpelier	A-	85.4	9K	11
32	South Burlington	B+	84.9	20K	22
33	Bradford	B+	84.7	2K	133
34	Burlington	B+	84.6	42K	21
35	Northfield	B+	84.6	5K	12
36	Newport City	B+	84.6	5K	23
37	Woodstock	B+	84.5	2K	25
38	Plainfield	B+	84.4	985	48
39	Lunenburg	B+	83.7	650	90
40	Williston	B+	83.6	8K	17
41	Enosburgh	B+	83.5	2K	24
42	Windsor	B+	83.3	2K	86
43	Shelburne	B+	83	7K	75
44	Waitsfield	B+	82.9	532	42
45	Johnson	B+	82.7	1K	139
46	Grand Isle	B+	82.4	3K	54
47	Hardwick	B+	82.1	2K	63
48	Putney	B+	81.9	2K	29
49	Montgomery	B+	81.9	530	28
50	Dorset	B+	81.2	530	141
51	Cavendish	B+	80.9	950	93
52	Hinesburg	B	79.8	3K	111
53	Derby	B	79.6	1K	94
54	Brattleboro	B	79.5	12K	32
55	South Hero	B	79.5	760	84
56	Danville	B	79	500	30
57	Richmond	B	78.9	1K	78
58	Jay	B	78.2	7K	144
59	Swanton	B	77.8	4K	57
60	Manchester	B	77.5	4K	102
61	Canaan	B	77.2	1K	80
62	Waterbury	B	76.6	6K	196
63	Troy	B	76.6	864	74
64	Hyde Park	B	75.2	737	155
65	Morristown	B-	73.8	3K	159
66	Saint Johnsbury	C+	70	5K	128
67	Proctor	C+	67.7	2K	139
68	Wallingford	C+	66.9	1K	179
69	Jericho	C+	66.6	2K	128
70	Randolph	C+	66.4	4K	176
71	Bolton	C+	65.2	1K	237
72	Greensboro	C+	65.1	551	140
73	Colchester	C	63.4	9K	104
74	Rockingham	C	62.9	4K	229
75	Royalton	C-	58.8	2K	177
76	Walpole	C-	56	625	96
77	Milton	D+	54.5	8K	101
78	Pownal	D+	51.2	925	300
79	Castleton	D+	50	2K	198
80	Burke	D+	50	1K	258
81	Stowe	D	46	5K	213
82	Berlin	D	46	4K	395
83	Dover	D	46	1K	668
84	Wilmington	D	45	3K	200
85	Alburgh	D	45	963	183
86	Bennington	F	44.9	16K	343
87	Ludlow	F	44	6K	418
88	Killington	F	42	3K	1618
89	Rutland Town	F	39	1K	625
90	Warren	F	29	4K	383

Counties

Browse Vermont counties

Addison 4 cities · avg 90.6 Bennington 7 cities · avg 76.7 Caledonia 5 cities · avg 73.7 Cheshire 1 city · avg 56 Chittenden 13 cities · avg 78.7 Essex 3 cities · avg 83.4 Franklin 5 cities · avg 83.9 Grand Isle 4 cities · avg 73.3 Lamoille 4 cities · avg 69.4 Orange 4 cities · avg 83 Orleans 5 cities · avg 76.8 Rutland 11 cities · avg 74.4 Washington 8 cities · avg 72.6 Windham 6 cities · avg 67 Windsor 10 cities · avg 80

ZIP Codes

Browse Vermont by ZIP code

Look up water quality by ZIP code to find the systems serving your area.

View all Vermont ZIP codes →

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Vermont's water

Is Vermont's tap water safe to drink?

Vermont's water quality varies by city. The statewide average grade is B (76.7/100). 72% of cities scored an A or B, while 16% received a D or F. Check your specific city for detailed results.

Which Vermont cities have the best water quality?

The top-rated cities are Essex (A+), Brandon (A+), Bridport (A). These cities scored highest based on violation history, lead levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Which Vermont cities have the worst water quality?

The lowest-rated cities are Warren (F), Rutland Town (F), Killington (F). We recommend residents in these areas consider water filtration and review their city's specific contaminant data.

How many Vermont cities have PFAS in their water?

3 out of 90 cities tested positive for PFAS "forever chemicals" (3%). 1 city exceeds the 2024 EPA maximum contaminant levels. Reverse osmosis or activated carbon filters can help reduce PFAS exposure.

Do any Vermont cities have dangerous lead levels?

1 city exceeds the EPA lead action level of 15 ppb. Lead contamination typically comes from aging pipes and lead service lines rather than the water source itself. An NSF 53-certified filter can effectively remove lead from tap water.

Vermont Water Quality Report