Burlington Vermont Water Quality at a Glance
minor concerns
DETECTED
CHAMPLAIN
Is Burlington Vermont Water Safe to Drink?
Generally Yes — Burlington’s water meets all federal and Vermont state standards and shows no PFAS detection in testing through 2023–2025, benefiting from a deep offshore Lake Champlain intake. The main concerns are disinfection byproducts (trihalomethanes at 60 ppb and haloacetic acids at 34 ppb) that form during chlorination — below regulatory limits but worth addressing with home filtration for sensitive households. See our water filter guide for suitable certified options.
⚠️ Minor Concerns for Burlington Residents
- Disinfection Byproducts: Total trihalomethanes (60 ppb, range 37–84 ppb) and haloacetic acids (34 ppb) from chlorination treatment — below EPA limits but detectable, with seasonal variation
- Vermont PFAS Context: While Burlington shows no PFAS detection, approximately 50 Vermont public water systems statewide exceed federal or state standards — an important statewide picture for residents who may travel or move
- Lead Potential: No lead service lines are present, but homes built before 1985 may have lead/tin solder in internal plumbing — a localised risk at the tap rather than the distribution system
- Lake Vulnerability: Lake Champlain’s 19:1 watershed-to-water ratio makes it more susceptible to land-use runoff than the Great Lakes (3:1), requiring active watershed stewardship
Read the full report below for detailed analysis, local data, and actionable recommendations for Burlington residents.
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Burlington, Vermont — Water Quality Report 2026: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure & Safety
Burlington Water Resources serves approximately 50,000 residents across Vermont’s largest city. The utility operates Burlington’s water distribution system and receives treated water processed through the city’s own waterfront treatment plant, which draws from Lake Champlain — one of the northeast’s most significant freshwater bodies. Burlington’s water system includes distribution networks serving a mix of historic urban infrastructure and newer residential areas, with a major programme of capital investment now underway following voter approval of infrastructure bonds in 2025.
Burlington’s drinking water is sourced through an intake located 4,200 feet offshore and 45 feet below the surface of Lake Champlain, strategically positioned to avoid surface contamination and algal bloom concentrations. The water undergoes comprehensive multi-barrier treatment at Burlington’s waterfront facility, which has served the community since 1867 with continuous modern upgrades. Burlington stands out as one of the better-performing water systems in the northeast — with no PFAS detected in recent testing and no lead service lines in its distribution network — though disinfection byproducts remain a minor but ongoing concern. For statewide context, see our Vermont water quality overview.
Burlington Water Quality: Current Status (2025–2026)
Latest Testing Results
- Federal Compliance: Burlington’s tap water meets all federal health-based drinking water standards as of the most recent EPA assessment period (2025), satisfying requirements set by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Act and Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation.
- Lead and Copper: Burlington Water completed its full service line inventory in 2024, confirming no known lead service lines in the distribution system — a significant positive result. The city remains in full compliance with the EPA Lead and Copper Rule and the updated Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR).
- PFAS Monitoring: Burlington’s most recent PFAS testing (including 2023 results and UCMR 5 programme data) shows no detectable levels of any of the five regulated PFAS compounds — PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpA, and PFNA. Burlington has consistently tested clean for PFAS since Vermont began regulating these chemicals in 2019.
- Disinfection Byproducts: Total trihalomethanes averaged 60 ppb (range 37–84 ppb) and haloacetic acids averaged 34 ppb in the most recent annual reporting period — both below EPA regulatory limits of 80 ppb and 60 ppb respectively, but the primary ongoing concern for health-conscious residents.
Water Source
- Lake Champlain Intake: Water is drawn through Burlington’s own intake pipe located 4,200 feet offshore and 45 feet below the lake surface — a depth and distance that provides natural protection from surface contamination, agricultural runoff, and algal bloom concentrations near the shoreline.
- Watershed Vulnerability: Lake Champlain’s 19:1 watershed-to-water ratio makes it inherently more susceptible to land-use impacts than the Great Lakes (3:1 ratio). Agricultural runoff, stormwater, and phosphorus loading are ongoing management concerns that Burlington monitors closely through its updated Source Water Protection Plan (last revised 2020).
- Algal Bloom Monitoring: Burlington conducts voluntary cyanotoxin (blue-green algae) monitoring during summer months when bloom risk is elevated on Lake Champlain, with enhanced treatment protocols activated during confirmed bloom events.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Burlington Water Treatment Plant: Historic waterfront facility utilising a multi-barrier treatment approach: coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, dual-media filtration through anthracite coal and sand, and chlorine disinfection. The plant processes an average of 3.742 million gallons per day and 1.365 billion gallons annually.
- Partnership for Safe Water: Burlington participates in the EPA’s voluntary Partnership for Safe Water programme, committing to continuous optimisation of treatment processes beyond minimum regulatory requirements — a distinction shared by relatively few utilities of Burlington’s size.
- Corrosion Control: Zinc orthophosphate is applied to the treated water to form a protective coating inside distribution pipes and household plumbing, reducing the risk of lead and copper leaching from internal plumbing in pre-1985 homes.
Infrastructure & 2026 Investment Updates
- 2025 Infrastructure Bond: Burlington voters approved a major water infrastructure bond in March 2025, funding replacement of the reservoir pump station dating to 1868 and comprehensive system modernisation. Water rates are projected to increase up to 89% between 2025 and 2030 to fund these essential upgrades — the utility is working to expand affordability programmes and secure additional state and federal grant funding to offset customer impacts.
- Pipe Replacement Programme: Burlington replaced 900 feet and relined 2,500 feet of water mains in 2023, with continued annual main replacement work planned through 2026 and beyond as part of the broader capital improvement programme.
- Smart Monitoring: Implementation of modern remote monitoring sensors throughout the distribution system to improve real-time water quality management, leak detection, and pressure monitoring — reducing non-revenue water loss and improving resilience.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Burlington Water Resources provides comprehensive customer support including free water quality information, annual Consumer Confidence Reports, and utility assistance programmes for qualifying low-income households. The city maintains strong transparency through regular public reporting and community engagement around Lake Champlain source protection. Burlington’s continued clean PFAS record, combined with its no-lead-service-line status, makes it one of the stronger-performing systems in New England — though residents in older pre-1985 homes should still be aware of the potential for lead from internal plumbing solder. An activated carbon filter certified to NSF Standard 53 is a practical and affordable step for reducing disinfection byproduct exposure at the tap. Monitor any local emergency advisories at our live U.S. boil water tracker.
Recommendations for Burlington Residents
Test Your Water
Contact Burlington Water Resources at (802) 863-4501 or water-resources@burlingtonvt.gov for water quality information and your most recent Consumer Confidence Report. If your home was built before 1985, request lead tap sampling data — no lead service lines exist in Burlington’s system, but lead/tin solder in older internal plumbing can still contribute to tap-level lead exposure.
Protect Lake Champlain
Support source water protection by participating in Lake Champlain conservation efforts, properly disposing of household chemicals and medications, and following stormwater management best practices to prevent pollution runoff. With a 19:1 watershed-to-lake ratio, what happens on the land directly affects Burlington’s drinking water source — and every resident plays a role.
Consider Home Filtration
Burlington’s water is among the cleanest in New England, but households with older plumbing or those sensitive to disinfection byproducts can benefit from an NSF Standard 53 certified activated carbon filter for drinking and cooking water. This is an affordable step that meaningfully reduces trihalomethane and haloacetic acid exposure without requiring whole-home treatment.
Stay Informed About PFAS
Monitor Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation updates on PFAS regulations and statewide testing results. While Burlington’s water has shown no PFAS detection in testing conducted in 2019, 2020, and 2023 (and through UCMR 5 monitoring), Vermont has approximately 50 public water systems exceeding federal or state PFAS standards — an ongoing statewide challenge being addressed with federal infrastructure funding. Stay current at our water quality news page.
Report Issues
Contact Burlington Water Resources at (802) 863-4501 for water main breaks, pressure problems, discolouration, or quality concerns. For after-hours emergencies the city provides 24/7 response for critical water system issues. Track any active advisories at our live U.S. boil water tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Yes — Burlington’s tap water meets all federal and Vermont state drinking water standards and is safe to drink. The water comes from Lake Champlain and undergoes comprehensive multi-barrier treatment at Burlington’s waterfront facility, which has served the community continuously since 1867.
Burlington participates in the EPA’s voluntary Partnership for Safe Water programme, demonstrating a commitment to quality beyond minimum compliance. The deep-water intake at 4,200 feet offshore provides natural protection from surface contamination. Regular testing — including over 600 annual microbial samples — confirms ongoing compliance with all health-based standards. The key ongoing concern is disinfection byproducts from chlorination, which remain below regulatory limits but are worth addressing with home filtration for particularly sensitive households. Compared to many northeast systems, Burlington’s water is in good shape: no PFAS detected, no lead service lines, and an active infrastructure investment programme now underway. See how Burlington compares to other Vermont communities on our state overview page.
What is Burlington doing about aging infrastructure?
Burlington voters approved a major water infrastructure bond in March 2025 to address decades of deferred investment, with water rates expected to increase by up to 89% between 2025 and 2030 to fund the necessary work:
Key investments include replacement of the reservoir pump station — parts of which date to 1868 — and comprehensive modernisation of treatment and distribution infrastructure. In 2023, Burlington replaced 900 feet and relined 2,500 feet of water mains, with continued annual main replacement work planned through 2026 and beyond.
The city is working to expand affordability and assistance programmes to help lower-income households manage rate increases, and is actively seeking state and federal infrastructure grant funding — including through the EPA’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund — to reduce the burden on ratepayers while securing the system’s long-term reliability.
Does Burlington have lead in its water system?
Burlington Water Resources completed its full service line inventory in 2024, confirming no known lead service lines in the distribution system — a genuinely positive result that distinguishes Burlington from many older northeast cities:
• No lead service lines: The utility has no record of active lead service lines in its service area, meaning the primary distribution infrastructure does not contribute lead to the water supply
• Corrosion control: Burlington applies zinc orthophosphate to coat pipe interiors and reduce lead and copper leaching from household plumbing and fixtures
• Regulatory compliance: The city is in full compliance with EPA Lead and Copper Rule requirements and the updated Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR)
• Pre-1985 homes: While there are no lead service lines, homes built before 1985 may still have lead/tin solder at pipe joints and in plumbing fixtures. If your home was built before 1985, request tap sampling data from Burlington Water at (802) 863-4501, and consider a NSF Standard 53 certified filter for drinking water as a precaution
What about PFAS contamination in Vermont?
PFAS “forever chemicals” have affected numerous Vermont communities — but Burlington’s water supply has consistently tested clean:
Burlington’s Status:
• Testing shows no detectable PFAS for all five regulated compounds (PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpA, PFNA) in tests conducted in 2019, 2020, and 2023, and through the EPA’s UCMR 5 programme
• The deep-water intake at 4,200 feet offshore provides natural distance from shoreline and near-surface contamination pathways that affect some other Lake Champlain intakes
Statewide Context:
• Vermont was among the first states to regulate PFAS in public drinking water, implementing standards in 2019 — ahead of federal requirements by five years
• The EPA’s April 2024 PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation established enforceable MCLs of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, with utility compliance required by April 2027
• Approximately 20 Vermont public water systems currently exceed state PFAS standards, with a further 30 systems exceeding the newer federal limits — Vermont DEC and federal infrastructure funding of $8–9 million annually for five years is supporting remediation efforts across affected communities
Burlington residents can track statewide water quality news and any issued advisories at our water alert news page.
Quality News About Your Water
Get the comprehensive water quality news coverage you need with our dedicated US Water News Service. From coast to coast, we deliver in-depth reporting and expert analysis on PFAS contamination, EPA regulatory changes, infrastructure developments, and emerging water safety issues affecting communities nationwide. While mainstream media only covers the biggest stories, we provide the detailed, ongoing coverage that helps you understand the full scope of America’s water challenges. Whether you’re a concerned citizen, water professional, or community leader, our daily updates and analytical insights keep you informed about the issues that matter most to public health and environmental safety.
Contaminants of Concern
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Formed when chlorine disinfectant reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in Lake Champlain source water during treatment. Levels vary seasonally — typically higher in late summer and autumn when organic content and water temperatures are elevated.
Health Effects: Long-term exposure to elevated disinfection byproduct levels is associated with increased bladder cancer risk, and potentially with liver, kidney, and reproductive health impacts. Risk is most significant with prolonged, high-level exposure over many years.
Current Status: Burlington’s 2023 data shows total trihalomethanes averaging 60 ppb (range 37–84 ppb) and haloacetic acids averaging 34 ppb (range 0–43 ppb) — both below EPA regulatory limits of 80 ppb and 60 ppb respectively. These figures are relatively moderate for a surface water system of Burlington’s type; however, the seasonal high of 84 ppb for TTHMs approaches the regulatory ceiling and is worth monitoring. An NSF Standard 53 or Standard 58 certified filter at the tap is the most practical way to reduce daily exposure. EPA Limits: 80 ppb for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs); 60 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5).
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances originating from industrial processes, legacy firefighting foam use, and consumer products can contaminate both surface water and groundwater. Lake Champlain receives runoff from a large, mixed-use watershed that includes agricultural, industrial, and residential land uses.
Health Effects: PFAS exposure is linked to increased risk of kidney and testicular cancer, immune system dysfunction, endocrine disruption, reduced vaccine effectiveness in children, and cardiovascular disease. No safe level of PFOA or PFOS exposure has been established.
Current Status: Burlington’s water shows no detectable PFAS for all five regulated compounds — PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, PFHpA, and PFNA — in testing conducted in 2019, 2020, 2023, and through the EPA’s UCMR 5 programme. This clean record is attributed in part to the offshore intake depth and distance from near-shore contamination sources. Vermont has regulated PFAS since 2019, and the EPA’s 2024 national PFAS rule set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS with a 2027 compliance deadline. Burlington is well-positioned relative to this standard. Regulatory Note: Approximately 50 Vermont systems statewide exceed state or federal PFAS thresholds — Burlington is a notable exception. For statewide comparison, see our Vermont water quality page.
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