Bakersfield, VT Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
In current tracking cycles, Bakersfield records above-average water quality outcomes for VT; compliance history over recent years shows few departures from federal standards and no systemic failures across its water systems.
How Bakersfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Bakersfield Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.91 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Bakersfield
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Bakersfield, VT — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Bakersfield, Vermont, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 552 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Bakersfield — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Bakersfield: B (83/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Bakersfield water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05441 | B | Bakersfield Fire District 1 | 446 |
All ZIP Codes in Bakersfield
- 05441 [B]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Bakersfield
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
How Old Is Bakersfield's Housing Stock?
With 66% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Decades of residential development in Bakersfield took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1974, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city — a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.
Over half of homes in Bakersfield were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Bakersfield: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When estimated remediation is placed alongside median property values in Bakersfield, the resulting ratio is low — a finding consistent with a household financial perspective where documented issues can be addressed without a meaningful impact on overall equity position, making this market one of the more favorable contexts for remediation planning.
Remediation costs in Bakersfield are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 14% below the Vermont average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Bakersfield
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Wherever 66% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Bakersfield — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Bakersfield, VT