Is Burlington, VT Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, Burlington tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 22 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where Burlington Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How Burlington Compares
Burlington's water is 84% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 89% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Vermont, Burlington has the 2nd hardest water out of 5 cities - 10% above the state average of 20 PPM. Among smaller cities, Burlington ranks #244 of 288 for hardness.
What Burlington's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 22 PPM - Low Concern
Burlington's water is slightly hard at 22 PPM. Most households won't notice any issues at this level. Scale buildup is minimal, and a water softener would be overkill. Burlington is softer than 89% of US cities. If you're thinking about water treatment, contaminant filtration is where to focus your money, not softening.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. Burlington's water has TTHMs at 52.3 ppb and HAA5 at 26 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
Burlington's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 52.3 ppb (65% of the legal limit, but 349x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 26 ppb (43% of the legal limit, but 260x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 22 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 54 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1.4 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 1.1 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.23 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Good news for Burlington residents. Your water quality is generally good. Most homes in this area do not need a water softener. If you have concerns about lead (especially in buildings constructed before 1986) or chlorine taste, a point-of-use filter is the most practical and cost-effective solution.
Quick Fix for Chlorine: Shower Filter
At 1.1 mg/L chlorine, many Burlington residents notice dry skin, brittle hair, and that "pool smell" in the shower. A shower filter installs in 5 minutes, no tools needed.
How to Test Your Water in Burlington
City-wide data is a solid starting point, but your specific tap might differ based on plumbing age, distance from the treatment plant, or seasonal changes.
Free option: Request Burlington DPW's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
📊 Already Tested Your Water?
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About Burlington's Water Supply
Water Utility: Burlington DPW
Water Source: Lake Champlain (Surface Water)
Population Served: 42,000
Hardness: 22 PPM (1.3 grains per gallon)
Burlington's drinking water comes from surface sources — Lake Champlain. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 42,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request Burlington DPW's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by Burlington DPW in Burlington, VT, including ZIP codes:
05401, 05402, 05404, 05405, 05406, 05408, 05439, 05446, 05458, 05463, 05474, 05486, 12852, 12879, 12901, 12903, 12910, 12911, 12912, 12913, 12914, 12915, 12916, 12917, 12918, 12919, 12920, 12921, 12922, 12923, 12924, 12926, 12929, 12930, 12932, 12933, 12934, 12935, 12937, 12939, 12941, 12942, 12943, 12944, 12945, 12946, 12949, 12950, 12952, 12953, 12955, 12957, 12958, 12959, 12962, 12965, 12966, 12967, 12969, 12970, 12972, 12973, 12975, 12976, 12977, 12978, 12979, 12980, 12981, 12983, 12985, 12986, 12987, 12989, 12992, 12995, 12996, 12997, 13613, 13617, 13621, 13625, 13647, 13649, 13655, 13658, 13660, 13662, 13667, 13668, 13672, 13676, 13677, 13678, 13680, 13683, 13687, 13694, 13696, 13697, 13699
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare Burlington to Other Vermont Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About Burlington Water
Is Burlington tap water safe to drink?
Where does Burlington's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in Burlington?
What are disinfection byproducts in Burlington's water?
Why does Burlington water taste like chlorine?
Can I drink Burlington tap water straight from the faucet?
What water filter is best for Burlington?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What Burlington Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 22 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on Burlington's water data.