Vermont Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Vermont, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Colchester Fire District 2 has the highest PFAS in Vermont at 5.2 ppt (1x the EPA limit). Mountain Water Company has the highest lead at 170 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Vermont
Public water systems in Vermont with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colchester Fire District 2 | Colchester · 8,300 served | 5.2 | 1 | 1x |
| 2 | Berlin Health Rehabilitation Ctr | Barre · 378 served | 4.6 | 1 | 1x |
Highest Lead Levels in Vermont
Community water systems in Vermont with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mountain Water Company | Warren · 2,400 served | 170 | 11.3x over |
| 2 | Bolton Community Water System | Richmond · 1,030 served | 51 | 3.4x over |
| 3 | Derby Center Water System | Derby Line · 1,400 served | 39 | 2.6x over |
| 4 | Winhall Stratton F D 1 | Stratton Mountain · 6,200 served | 35 | 2.3x over |
| 5 | Mountain Green Condominium | Woodstock · 1,300 served | 26.7 | 1.8x over |
| 6 | Smugglers Notch Water System | Jeffersonville · 2,960 served | 19.3 | 1.3x over |
| 7 | Town Of Woodstock Water Department | Woodstock · 2,473 served | 19 | 1.3x over |
| 8 | Bradford Village Water System | Bradford · 1,512 served | 17 | 1.1x over |
| 9 | Timber Creek Coa Inc | West Dover · 1,116 served | 15 | within |
| 10 | Northfield Water Dept | Northfield · 5,145 served | 15 | within |
| 11 | Stowe Water Dept | Stowe · 3,600 served | 14.3 | within |
| 12 | Chester Water Dept | Chester · 3,200 served | 13.3 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Vermont
Community water systems in Vermont with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bradford Village Water System | Bradford · 1,512 served | 7 |
| 2 | Hardwick Town Water System | Hardwick · 1,900 served | 7 |
| 3 | Brandon Fire District 1 | Brandon · 3,963 served | 6 |
| 4 | Mountain Green Condominium | Woodstock · 1,300 served | 6 |
| 5 | Winhall Stratton F D 1 | Stratton Mountain · 6,200 served | 5 |
| 6 | Randolph Village | Randolph · 2,700 served | 5 |
| 7 | Jay Peak Water System | Jay · 6,740 served | 5 |
| 8 | Newport City Water System | Newport · 4,766 served | 4 |
| 9 | Bethel Water Dept | Bethel · 1,929 served | 4 |
| 10 | Northfield Water Dept | Northfield · 5,145 served | 4 |
| 11 | Bennington Water Dept | Bennington · 13,250 served | 4 |
| 12 | Burke Mountain Water Co | Concord · 1,058 served | 4 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Vermont?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Colchester Fire District 2 in Colchester had the highest recorded PFAS level in Vermont at 5.2 ppt - about 1x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Vermont water system has the highest lead levels?
Mountain Water Company in Warren had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Vermont under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 170 ppb - 11.3x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Vermont water system has the most EPA violations?
Bradford Village Water System in Bradford has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Vermont, with 7 violations.
Where does the Vermont water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Vermont Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Vermont water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.