Burlington – Vermont – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Burlington Water Resources serves approximately 50,000 residents across Vermont’s largest city and surrounding areas in the Chittenden County region. The utility operates through a combination of city-owned infrastructure and partnerships with the regional Champlain Water District, which provides treated water from Lake Champlain to much of the greater Burlington metropolitan area. Burlington’s water system includes extensive distribution networks, aging infrastructure requiring significant upgrades, and treatment facilities that process water primarily sourced from Lake Champlain through sophisticated surface water treatment processes.
Burlington’s drinking water comes primarily from Lake Champlain, sourced through the Champlain Water District’s deep-water intake located 75 feet below the surface in Shelburne Bay, approximately half a mile from shore. This strategic placement ensures water quality protection from surface contamination. The water undergoes comprehensive treatment at the Peter L. Jacob Water Treatment Facility in South Burlington, which was the first water supplier in the nation to receive EPA’s “Excellence in Water Treatment Award.” Burlington faces ongoing challenges with infrastructure modernization, with voters recently approving significant bond funding for system upgrades, including replacement of aging facilities dating back to the 1860s.
Burlington Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead and Copper Compliance: Burlington Water remains in full compliance with EPA regulations for lead and copper in drinking water, with the city completing its service line inventory in 2024 showing no known lead service lines in the system.
- Federal Compliance: For the latest quarter assessed by EPA (April-June 2024), Burlington’s tap water meets all federal health-based drinking water standards and regulatory requirements.
- Quality Monitoring: Burlington conducts comprehensive water quality testing through both city and Champlain Water District monitoring programs, maintaining transparency through annual Consumer Confidence Reports.
Water Sources
- Lake Champlain: Primary source accessed through Champlain Water District’s protected deep-water intake at 75-foot depth in Shelburne Bay, strategically positioned half a mile from shore to avoid surface contamination.
- Surface Water Protection: Comprehensive watershed management and source water protection measures to safeguard Lake Champlain from pollution and contamination sources.
- Regional Coordination: Partnership with Champlain Water District ensures reliable supply security and system redundancy across Chittenden County communities.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Peter L. Jacob Treatment Facility: Award-winning facility in South Burlington utilizing multi-barrier treatment approach including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, filtration, and advanced disinfection processes.
- Excellence in Treatment: First water supplier nationally to receive EPA’s “Excellence in Water Treatment Award” for completion of all Partnership for Safe Water phases, demonstrating commitment to superior water quality.
- Corrosion Control: Advanced corrosion control treatment using zinc orthophosphate to prevent lead and copper leaching from internal plumbing systems in customer homes.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Historic Infrastructure Upgrades: Voters approved $225 million in water infrastructure bonds in March 2025, including replacement of Victorian-era pump station dating to 1867 and comprehensive system modernization.
- System Expansion: Major upgrades will increase wastewater treatment capacity to accommodate Burlington’s housing growth goals and prevent system overflows into Lake Champlain.
- Smart Infrastructure: Implementation of modern monitoring systems and replacement of aging distribution infrastructure to improve system reliability and water quality management.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Burlington Water Resources provides comprehensive customer support including free lead testing for concerned residents and utility customer assistance programs for qualifying households. The city maintains transparency through regular water quality reporting and public education about Lake Champlain source protection. Burlington’s commitment to water quality includes proactive monitoring for emerging contaminants and participation in regional water quality initiatives. The substantial infrastructure investments approved by voters demonstrate the community’s dedication to maintaining safe, reliable drinking water while addressing future challenges including climate change impacts, population growth, and evolving water quality standards.
Recommendations for Burlington Residents
Test Your Water
Contact Burlington Water Resources at 802-863-4501 for water quality questions or testing information. Free lead testing is available for concerned residents, especially those in homes built before 1988 when Vermont outlawed lead solder.
Protect Lake Champlain
Support source water protection by participating in Lake Champlain conservation efforts, properly disposing of household chemicals, and following stormwater management practices to prevent pollution runoff into the lake.
Consider Home Filtration
While Burlington’s water meets all standards, homes with older plumbing may benefit from NSF-certified filters for additional protection against disinfection byproducts and any potential contaminants from internal plumbing systems.
Stay Informed About PFAS
Monitor Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation updates on PFAS regulations and testing. While Champlain Water District’s deep-water source shows no PFAS detection, stay informed about statewide efforts to address these emerging contaminants.
Report Issues
Contact Burlington Water Resources at 802-863-4501 for water main breaks, pressure problems, or quality concerns. For after-hours emergencies, the city provides 24/7 response for critical water system issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Burlington’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Burlington’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The water comes from Lake Champlain and undergoes comprehensive treatment at the award-winning Peter L. Jacob facility operated by Champlain Water District.
The Champlain Water District was the first water supplier in the nation to receive EPA’s “Excellence in Water Treatment Award,” demonstrating exceptional commitment to water quality. The deep-water intake system at 75 feet below the surface in Shelburne Bay provides protection from surface contamination. Regular testing and monitoring ensure continued compliance with all health-based standards.
What is Burlington doing about aging infrastructure?
Burlington voters approved $225 million in water infrastructure bonds in March 2025 to address critical aging infrastructure needs:
The largest component includes $152 million for wastewater system upgrades to replace aging equipment and increase capacity. An additional $21 million will fund drinking water improvements, including replacement of the Victorian-era pump station on Main Street built in 1867.
These investments will modernize treatment facilities, expand system capacity to support housing growth, and improve reliability. While water bills may increase significantly over the next five years, the city is working to enhance affordability programs and secure additional funding sources to minimize customer impacts.
Does Burlington have lead in its water system?
Burlington Water Resources completed its comprehensive service line inventory in 2024 and found no known lead service lines in the system:
• No lead service lines: The utility has no record of active lead service lines in its service area
• Corrosion control: Burlington adds zinc orthophosphate to prevent lead and copper leaching from internal plumbing systems
• Regulatory compliance: The city remains in full compliance with EPA Lead and Copper Rule requirements
• Free testing available: Residents can request lead testing through Burlington Water Resources, especially for homes built before 1988
Vermont outlawed lead solder containing more than 8% lead in 1988, and further reduced allowable lead content in plumbing materials to 0.25% for fixtures and 0.20% for solder in 2010.
What about PFAS contamination in Vermont?
PFAS (“forever chemicals”) have been a concern in some Vermont communities, but Burlington’s water supply shows different results:
Burlington’s Status:
• Champlain Water District’s testing shows PFAS compounds were not detected in finished drinking water
• The deep-water intake at 75 feet provides protection from potential PFAS contamination sources
Statewide Context:
• Vermont has regulated PFAS in public drinking water since 2019, ahead of federal requirements
• New EPA regulations in 2024 require additional monitoring and treatment for PFAS
• About 10% of Vermont’s public water systems may need to install PFAS treatment
• Federal funding of $8-9 million annually is available to help Vermont communities address PFAS
Contaminants of Concern
Disinfection Byproducts
Source: Formed when disinfectants like chlorine react with naturally occurring organic matter in Lake Champlain source water; levels can vary seasonally with water temperature and organic content
Health Effects: Long-term exposure to elevated levels may increase risk of certain cancers and potentially affect liver, kidney, and reproductive health
Current Status: Independent testing has detected bromodichloromethane and chloroform at levels that exceed some health guidelines, though within federal legal limits EPA Limits: 80 ppb for total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) and 60 ppb for haloacetic acids (HAA5)
PFAS Compounds
Source: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from industrial processes, firefighting foams, and consumer products that can contaminate surface and groundwater sources
Health Effects: Research links PFAS exposure to cancers, liver and heart problems, immune system impacts, and developmental damage to infants and children
Current Status: Champlain Water District’s finished water shows no detectable PFAS compounds due to deep-water intake protection; Vermont regulates PFAS since 2019 with new federal standards effective 2024 Regulatory Updates: EPA finalized first-ever national PFAS drinking water standards in April 2024
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