Chemical Contaminants

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...

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

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

Using Pesticides in Your Home Pests in and around our homes can be a nuisance. Pests include insects (for example, cockroaches, bed bugs, wasps, and garden bugs), rodents (for example, mice and rats), and weeds. The pesticides, or chemicals, we...

The Vermont Department of Health worked with the Department of Environmental Conservation to respond to health concerns related to detection of the chemical PFOA in private drinking water wells in Bennington and North Bennington.

Learn how to make sure your well or spring is properly constructed and maintained to help keep your drinking water safe from contaminants. Find information and requirements for real estate transactions and rental properties.

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.

What You Need to Know About Radon in Drinking Water Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon may be present in both soil and water. Soil is the most common source of radon in your home. Well water that...

If you get your drinking water from a private well or spring, you should have it tested on a regular basis so you can protect your family's health. Find out what you should test your drinking water for and how...

If your drinking water test results show your water is contaminated, you’ll need to treat your water. Find out which drinking water treatment system will work best for your home.