Chittenden, VT Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Chittenden record elevated violation rates against VT benchmarks — residents in affected areas may want to check their local system's current compliance status.
How Chittenden Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Chittenden Water
- Homes built before 1986: 64% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.46 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Chittenden
Across most of Chittenden, VT, residential water comes from a single utility. That provider sets rates, manages infrastructure maintenance, and files compliance reports with the EPA on behalf of the households it serves. Federal tracking data shows 1 system on record, but one carries the bulk of the service load.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Chittenden, Vermont (population ~696), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,923 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Chittenden — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Chittenden: D (53/100)
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
Chittenden water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Chittenden
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05737 | D | PITTSFORD FLORENCE WATER DEPT | 1,923 |
All ZIP Codes in Chittenden
- 05737 [D]
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 Chittenden
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Chittenden
With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Chittenden, the median build year of 1973 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Chittenden were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Chittenden Homeowners
In Chittenden, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Chittenden are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 5% below the Vermont average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Chittenden
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.
If 64% of the Chittenden inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Chittenden
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 64% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Chittenden, VT