State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM27
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM46
Hard · 121–180 PPM20
Very hard · 181+ PPM0
State water index
Vermont water hardness
Search 87 indexed communities and 93 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median indexed hardness
98PPM
Moderately Hard
Indexed range 10.5–176 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 93
- Cities
- 87
- Matched utilities
- 199
- Counties
- 14
Understanding Vermont
Why local comparisons matter here
Vermont's mountain watersheds, river valleys, glacial deposits, and fractured bedrock support a mix of small surface-water and groundwater systems.
In this index, moderately hard is the largest category, covering 46 of 93 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 98 PPM, but the full indexed range is 10.5–176 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 100%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 30%
13
Low-confidence hardness profiles
13
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 147
- Surface water
- 50
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 2
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Newport176 PPM
- 2. Peacham152 PPM
- 3. Cabot141 PPM
- 4. Arlington134 PPM
- 5. Danby132 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Vergennes11 PPM
- 2. Winooski12 PPM
- 3. South Hero12 PPM
- 4. South Burlington12 PPM
- 5. Shelburne12 PPM
City directory
Explore Vermont by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
87 cities · 93 ZIP profiles
87 cities found
Page 1 of 4
Albany
Orleans County · 1 ZIP
114PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alburgh
Grand Isle County · 1 ZIP
13PPM
Single indexed value1 active record
Arlington
Bennington County · 2 ZIPs
134PPM
Range 130.5–138No active flag
Bakersfield
Franklin County · 2 ZIPs
94PPM
Range 90.4–98.1No active flag
Barnet
Caledonia County · 1 ZIP
90PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Barre
Washington County · 1 ZIP
15PPM
Single indexed value1 active record
Barton
Orleans County · 1 ZIP
42PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bellows Falls
Windham County · 1 ZIP
47PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bennington
Bennington County · 1 ZIP
15PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Benson
Rutland County · 1 ZIP
119PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bethel
Windsor County · 1 ZIP
94PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bradford
Orange County · 1 ZIP
81PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brandon
Rutland County · 1 ZIP
107PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Brattleboro
Windham County · 1 ZIP
45PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Burlington
Chittenden County · 2 ZIPs
12PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Cabot
Washington County · 1 ZIP
141PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Cambridge
Lamoille County · 1 ZIP
13PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Canaan
Essex County · 1 ZIP
48PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Cavendish
Windsor County · 1 ZIP
121PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Chelsea
Orange County · 1 ZIP
98PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Chester
Windsor County · 1 ZIP
123PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Concord
Essex County · 1 ZIP
48PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Coventry
Orleans County · 1 ZIP
98PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Danby
Rutland County · 1 ZIP
132PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bennington County | 130 PPM | 15.3–138 | 6 |
| Caledonia County | 129 PPM | 82.7–152 | 7 |
| Rutland County | 123 PPM | 12.6–131.5 | 9 |
| Orleans County | 106 PPM | 42.4–176 | 8 |
| Windham County | 100 PPM | 44.9–131 | 7 |
| Windsor County | 99 PPM | 86.4–123 | 10 |
| Lamoille County | 98 PPM | 13–99.5 | 4 |
| Washington County | 90 PPM | 12.8–141 | 10 |
| Franklin County | 87 PPM | 13–98.8 | 6 |
| Orange County | 83 PPM | 79.7–99.5 | 6 |
| Addison County | 55 PPM | 10.5–98.8 | 2 |
| Essex County | 48 PPM | 48.1–48.1 | 3 |