Fairlee, VT Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
EPA compliance records for Fairlee tell a largely clear story: violation rates are low, health-based exceedances are uncommon, and the city's grade puts it well above average within VT.
How Fairlee Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Fairlee Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 71% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.63 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Fairlee
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Fairlee, VT — the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Fairlee, Vermont, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,787 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Fairlee — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fairlee: B (72/100)
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
Fairlee water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Fairlee
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 05045 | B | Fairlee Town Water | 967 |
All ZIP Codes in Fairlee
- 05045 [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 Fairlee
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 Fairlee's Housing Stock?
With 71% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Fairlee, where the median build year is 1978, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Fairlee 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.
Fairlee: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Fairlee runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Fairlee are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% below the Vermont average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Fairlee
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 71% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Fairlee — 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 Fairlee, VT