Chemical Contaminants

Public drinking water systems are regulated by the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation. However, the Health Department recommends testing your water for lead. Learn more about testing for lead and other public drinking water concerns.

Water contaminated with bacteria can make you sick. Learn how to disinfect your water before using it for drinking or cooking.

Any flood or major rainstorm that generates significant runoff could contaminate your water supply making it unsafe to drink. Find out what you need to do.

What You Need to Know About Coliform Bacteria in Drinking Water Coliform bacteria are one of the most common water contamination problems in private water systems in Vermont and throughout the U.S. Coliform is a family of bacteria common in...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requires that public water systems use chlorine for disinfection at the water treatment facility.

PFAS, including PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) and PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonic acid) are manufactured chemicals that stay in the environment for a very long time.

Pesticides, petrochemicals and other organic chemicals are human-made and do not occur naturally in drinking water.

What You Need to Know About Lead in Drinking Water Lead is a highly toxic metal. It can be found in both public and private water systems, in household plumbing, and in well components. Until around the 1950s, lead pipes...

What You Need to Know About Manganese in Drinking Water Manganese is a metal found naturally in the Earth's crust, which means it can be found in your well or spring water. It is an essential nutrient for the human...

What You Need to Know About Nitrates and Nitrites in Drinking Water Nitrogen can take different forms in nature and is important for life in both plants and animals. The most common form of nitrogen found in well water is...