Burlington, VT: 15 Violations — 92/100 (2026)
5 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water monitoring data for Burlington shows a consistently clean picture in VT — few violations on record, compliance well above the median.
How Burlington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Burlington, VT
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Burlington score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Burlington Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 15 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 9.51.
Who Supplies Your Water in Burlington
Water supply in Burlington, VT follows a divided structure: 3 utilities account for the largest share of residential service out of 7 total systems, each managing its own distribution network and EPA reporting. Because these systems operate independently, rate decisions and compliance outcomes are determined separately.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Burlington, Vermont, covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 44,715 people.
5 of 5 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Burlington: A (92/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Burlington water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 3 (Low Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 5 ZIP codes
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 5 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 6 | 5 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05401 | A | 3 | 0 | Burlington Department Public Works Water Div |
| 05402 | A | 3 | 0 | Burlington Department Public Works Water Div |
| 05405 | A | 3 | 0 | Burlington Department Public Works Water Div |
| 05406 | A | 3 | 0 | Burlington Department Public Works Water Div |
| 05408 | A | 3 | 0 | Burlington Department Public Works Water Div |
All ZIP Codes in Burlington
- 05401 [A] — 3 violations
- 05402 [A] — 3 violations
- 05405 [A] — 3 violations
- 05406 [A] — 3 violations
- 05408 [A] — 3 violations
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Burlington
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Burlington Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Burlington Homeowners
Property equity in Burlington runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Burlington are relatively low compared to home values. The $933–$2,033 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 65% above the Vermont average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Burlington
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Burlington appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Burlington
Taken together, Burlington's 20 NFIP flood insurance claims and 60% FEMA flood zone coverage place it in the moderate range of exposure. That middle position has specific implications for water quality. The contamination pathways that flooding can open — surface water overwhelming treatment facility intake, floodwaters infiltrating private wells, distribution pressure changes creating backflow — are not constant risks in a moderate-exposure community. But they do become active during significant flood events, and the claim record here indicates enough of those events to make flood timing an occasional factor in local water quality conversations.
Burlington has a moderate flood history with 20 FEMA claims averaging $13,803 per payout. 60% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Burlington, VT