Burlington Municipal Waterworks

Municipal Water and Health Information from the EPA ensures that tap water remains safe for consumption. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes regulations that restrict certain contaminant levels in public water systems. Some individuals may have greater sensitivity to water contaminants than the general population.

People with compromised immune systems, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, elderly residents, and infants may face increased vulnerability to infections. These residents should consult healthcare providers about their tap water consumption. Guidelines from the EPA and CDC regarding ways to reduce infection risks from Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Nitrate levels exceeding 12 ppm present significant health risks for infants under six months old. Elevated nitrates can cause blue baby syndrome, with levels potentially rising rapidly during rainfall or agricultural activities. Parents caring for infants should seek medical advice about water safety.

Many consumers question whether bottled water offers greater safety than tap water. The FDA establishes contaminant limits for bottled water that provide equivalent public health protection. Any product labeled "drinking water" must meet EPA standards. All water sources, including bottled options, can reasonably be expected to contain at least minimal contaminant levels. The presence of contaminants doesn't necessarily indicate health risks.

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health complications, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in tap water primarily comes from service line materials and household plumbing components. While Burlington Municipal Waterworks provides quality water, they cannot control plumbing material choices. After water sits for several hours, you can reduce lead exposure risk by flushing taps for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for consumption. If concerned about lead contamination, consider water testing through the Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Cryptosporidium is a microbial pathogen found in surface water throughout the U.S. Though filtration helps remove it, standard methods cannot guarantee complete elimination. Monitoring has detected these organisms in our source water. Current testing cannot determine if organisms are viable or disease-causing. Supplemental monitoring follows the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule to determine if additional treatment is necessary. Cryptosporidium infection causes cryptosporidiosis, characterized by vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. Most healthy people recover within weeks, but immunocompromised individuals face greater risk of severe illness.

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