Recreational Water | Vermont Department of Health
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Recreational Water
In this section:
Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae)
Mercury in Fish
Safe and Healthy Recreational Water
Vermont is home to thousands of freshwater lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. Our waters are a great destination for everything from swimming and fishing to boating and tubing. We all have a role to play in keeping our recreational waters a safe and healthy place for everyone.
Translated Information in:
: العربیة (Arabic)
ြမန်မာစာ (Burmese)
دری (Dari)
Français (French)
Kirundi
नेपाली (Nepali)
پښتو) Pashto)
Soomaali (Somali)
Español (Spanish)
Swim Water Testing
Rivers, ponds, lakes and streams may contain disease-causing microorganisms. Swimming in these waters may result in health effects such as minor skin rashes, sore throats, diarrhea or more serious problems.
Children tend to spend more time in the water than adults. They are also more likely to accidentally swallow water when swimming and, for this reason, they are more likely than adults to get sick. However, babies, older adults and people with weakened immune systems are most at risk of becoming seriously ill.
Order swim water test kits
See swim water testing FAQs
Important Links
Swimming Information (Vermont State Parks)
Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae) Tracker Map
Contact your
town health officer
with questions about your town’s public swimming area testing protocols or results.
Human-made recreational water
The Health Department recommends that all aquatic facilities (like pools, spas, waterparks and splashpads) follow the Center for Disease Control’s
Model Aquatic Health Code
There are specific requirements for pools and spas that belong to
licensed lodging facilities
. Take special consideration when managing
hot tubs
and
splash pads
where waterborne illnesses may grow and spread more easily.
Resources
Healthy Recreational Waters Fact Sheet
Healthy Recreational Waters Guidance
Beach Sign: Yellow Notice (water may not be safe)
Beach Sign: Red Alert (do not swim)
Beach Sign: Green (water is considered safe)
More Information
Learn about water safety in Vermont
Learn more about waterborne diseases
Learn more about preventing swimming-related illnesses (CDC)
Swimming and your health (CDC)
Beach information (EPA)
Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) tracker map
Translated Information
Beach Sign: Red Alert (Do Not Swim) in:
العربية (Arabic)
မြန်မာစာ (Burmese)
دری (Dari)
Français (French)
Kirundi
नेपाली (Nepali)
پښتو (Pashto)
Soomaali (Somali)
Español (Spanish)
Beach Sign: Yellow Notice (water may not be safe) in
العربية
(Arabic)
မြန်မာစာ (Burmese)
دری (Dari)
Français (French)
Kirundi
नेपाली (Nepali)
پښتو (Pashto)
Soomaali (Somali)
Español (Spanish)
Recreational Water Safety After a Flood in:
العربية (Arabic)
မြန်မာစာ (Burmese)
دری (Dari)
Français (French)
Kirundi
नेपाली (Nepali)
پښتو (Pashto)
Soomaali (Somali)
Español (Spanish)
Toxicological Sciences Program
Phone:
802-863-7220 or 800-439-8550 (toll-free in Vermont)
Fax:
802-863-7483
Email:
[email protected]
Mercury in Fish
The Health Department recommends that people limit eating some fish caught in Vermont waters.
Cyanobacteria (Blue-Green Algae)
Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, are common in Lake Champlain and other Vermont waters...
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April 1, 2026