Hardness
Soft
14.7 PPM · 0.9 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Barre, VT 05641
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Washington County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Barre City Water System
- Source water
- Surface water + Groundwater influenced by surface water + Groundwater
- County
- Washington County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
5 systems
Serves 14,000 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
14.7 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
14.7
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
0.9
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 14.7 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
54
Nearest site
26 mi
Observation range
Jan 20, 2016–Mar 17, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: SLEEPERS RIVER TRIB (W-2), NR NORTH DANVILLE, VT (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 05641 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Barre median
15 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 14.7–14.7 PPM
Vermont median
98 PPM
83 PPM lower93 indexed ZIP readings · Range 10.5–176 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 34
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper RuleHealth-based | VT0005253 | Unaddressed | Sep 30, 2025 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VT0005248 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2024through Nov 30, 2024 |
| TTHM | VT0005248 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | VT0005248 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Dec 31, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | VT0005253 | Resolved | May 1, 2024through May 31, 2024 |
| TTHM | VT0005566 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | VT0005566 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Jun 30, 2024 |
| Xylenes, Total | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| Carbon tetrachloride | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| Trichloroethylene | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| Benzene | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| Toluene | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| Styrene | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| DICHLOROMETHANE | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | VT0005247 | Resolved | Apr 1, 2024through Feb 5, 2024 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Barre ZIP 05641 using 14.7 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Lead and Copper Rule has a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Barre
Is tap water safe in Barre?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 14.7 PPM, or 0.9 grains per gallon, classified as soft. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.