Montpelier, VT: 28 Violations — 75/100 (2026)
7 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike many cities its size in VT, Montpelier keeps health-based violation rates low — systems here score at or above the state average for tap water safety, with no systemic concerns flagged in the current data set.
How Montpelier Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Montpelier, VT
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Montpelier's 7 ZIP codes.
Key Facts for Montpelier Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 28 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,960 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.4.
Montpelier's Water Providers
Structurally, Montpelier, VT's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 6 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 7 ZIP codes in Montpelier, Vermont, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 12,491 people.
7 of 7 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Montpelier: B (75/100)
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
Montpelier water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 7 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 16 | 7 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 7 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 7 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05601 | B | 4 | 0 | Montpelier Water System |
| 05602 | C | 4 | 0 | Montpelier Water System |
| 05603 | B | 4 | 0 | Montpelier Water System |
| 05604 | B | 4 | 0 | Montpelier Water System |
| 05609 | B | 4 | 0 | Montpelier Water System |
| 05620 | B | 4 | 0 | Montpelier Water System |
| 05633 | B | 4 | 0 | Montpelier Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Montpelier
- 05601 [B] — 4 violations
- 05602 [C] — 4 violations
- 05603 [B] — 4 violations
- 05604 [B] — 4 violations
- 05609 [B] — 4 violations
- 05620 [B] — 4 violations
- 05633 [B] — 4 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.
Montpelier Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Montpelier's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Montpelier
In Montpelier, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Montpelier are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,360–$2,960 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 21% above the Vermont average.
Montpelier: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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 Montpelier 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.
Montpelier: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Montpelier has accumulated 448 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 71% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Montpelier has a moderate flood history with 448 FEMA claims averaging $73,251 per payout. 71% 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>$1,960</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 Montpelier, VT