Water Quality: Fairfax, VT
3 water systems • 259 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Fairfax is served by 3 public water systems with a combined service population of 259 people, and has 138 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 5 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Fairfax's violation count is 94% above the national average for Vermont. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, Gross Alpha, Stage 2 DBP.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
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)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Water Systems Serving Fairfax
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FAIRFAX HEIGHTS WATER CO | VT0005118 | Groundwater | 100 | 53 |
| FAIRFAX FIRE DISTRICT 1 | VT0005403 | Groundwater | 80 | 12 |
| COLONIAL ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSN | VT0020855 | Groundwater | 79 | 73 |
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.