CITY REPORT VT

South Burlington, VT: 8 Violations — 82/100 (2026)

2 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04

Based on current monitoring, South Burlington holds an above-average drinking water safety record for VT — violations are infrequent and typically minor when they do appear.

How South Burlington Compares

South Burlington82/100
Vermont avg71/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

2
ZIP Codes
7
Water Systems
2
ZIPs with Violations
B · 82
Avg Safety Score
Zone 3
Radon Risk (Low)
$399K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation (0.3% of home value)

South Burlington Water: The Quick Version

  • Your city's water systems recorded 8 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 9.51.

Water Systems Serving South Burlington

At present, 3 utilities serve the bulk of South Burlington, VT's residential water connections out of 7 systems active in the area, spread across independent providers with separate infrastructure and compliance obligations.

Burlington Department Public Works Water Div
Serves ~42,000 people · 4 violations
81
/100
South Burlington City Water System
Serves ~19,500 people · 8 violations
81
/100
Colchester Water System
Serves ~11,299 people · 8 violations
81
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in South Burlington, Vermont (population ~20,385), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 79,485 people region-wide.

2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for South Burlington: B (82/100)

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

South Burlington water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for South Burlington
  • 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): 2 ZIP codes

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 9 2
Uranium Radionuclides 3 2

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
05403 B 4 0 South Burlington City Water System
05407 B 4 0 South Burlington City Water System

All ZIP Codes in South Burlington

  • 05403 [B] — 4 violations
  • 05407 [B] — 4 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

CDC Health Data for South Burlington

10.9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
6.6%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15.9%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.9% ↑
Diabetes 6.6% ↓
Mental Health 15.9% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Key Contaminants Detected in South Burlington

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 9 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L
Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure
Uranium 3 violations
Radionuclides · EPA limit: 0.03 mg/L
Kidney damage, increased cancer risk

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

South Burlington: Remediation Cost in Perspective

While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in South Burlington is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.

Median Home Value
$399,100
Est. Remediation
$1,200
Remediation as % of home value 0.3%

Remediation costs in South Burlington are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 42% above the Vermont average.

Climate-Related Water Risk for South Burlington

The National Flood Insurance Program captures decades of claims at the local level, building a record of cumulative community flood exposure. For South Burlington, that record documents 6 claims and 50% of ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated flood zones. What makes those numbers relevant to water quality is the set of mechanisms flooding activates: heavy precipitation that floods treatment intake zones can introduce contaminants upstream of normal filtration; well casings in low-lying areas can be infiltrated by floodwaters carrying bacteria, sediment, and chemical residue; and distribution system pressure changes during flooding can create backflow conditions. These effects become more probable as flood frequency and magnitude increase — and the NFIP record indicates both are meaningful factors locally.

6
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$1,482
Avg Claim Payout
50%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

South Burlington has a moderate flood history with 6 FEMA claims averaging $1,482 per payout. 50% 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>$1,200</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in South Burlington, VT?
South Burlington has an average water safety score of 82/100 (Grade B). 8 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does South Burlington have?
South Burlington water systems have a total of 8 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 2 ZIP codes.
How does South Burlington compare to Vermont average?
South Burlington has an average water safety score of 82/100, which is above the Vermont state average of 71/100.
How many water systems serve South Burlington?
South Burlington is served by 7 public water systems across 2 ZIP codes, serving approximately 20,385 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in South Burlington?
Estimated remediation costs in South Burlington average $1,200 per household, ranging from $800 to $1,800. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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