Water Quality: Colchester, VT
5 water systems • 8,639 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Colchester is served by 5 public water systems with a combined service population of 8,639 people, and has 175 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 10 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Colchester's violation count is 146% above the national average for Vermont. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, E. coli, Gross Alpha, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Colchester
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COLCHESTER FIRE DISTRICT 2 | VT0005059 | Surface Water | 8,300 | 12 |
| NORTH HARBOR | VT0020002 | Groundwater | 225 | 10 |
| MOUNT ASCUTNEY MHP | VT0005342 | Groundwater | 42 | 38 |
| CHIMNEY HILL COLCHESTER | VT0005654 | Groundwater | 42 | 75 |
| RIVERSIDE MHP | VT0005493 | Groundwater | 30 | 40 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Vermont
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.